Guyana needs to continue the fight against narco-trafficking and to go after the `drug houses' and those who sell drugs in the communities and a special unit is to be set up to tackle this.
So said President Bharrat Jagdeo in his New Year's Day message to the nation scheduled for delivery at midnight.
The President said also that crime fighting remains a top priority in his administration and pointed out that he has indicated to the Commissioner of Police that he will spare no resource in equipping the Guyana Police Force with the tools needed to combat crime. But he said that the Police cannot do it alone and they need the support of all communities.
He noted that there is an excessive tendency to link the country's young people with anti-social activities such as HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancies and drug addiction, while ignoring the important contribution they make in all aspects of national life. "This year, let us pay more attention to our young people...let us ensure that they are provided with more opportunities for better recreation and let us seek to stimulate that enterprising ethic which is a characteristic of youth," Jagdeo said.
He said that for 2005, "We will enhance efforts towards ensuring that the foundations of a free and democratic society remain intact. The Government will continue to support Parliament as the highest deliberative forum of the land. We will continue to promote and defend freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary as indispensable parts of our democracy," he said. He added that the Executive would continue to work in a transparent and accountable manner.
For 2005, the Government will continue to raise the profile of Guyana within the international community of nations. "Today, Guyana joins the Bureau of the Rio Group and will have the distinction of chairing this body next year," Jagdeo said.
Wishing Guyanese a happy New Year, he said that it was his hope that as a nation Guyana will continue to enjoy peace and happiness throughout the new year. He said that over the past Christmas season he couldn't help but be moved by the happiness radiating from the faces of children. "In their enthusiasm and in the love and pride shown by the parents, I see a secure and bright future, one filled with endless possibilities," he said.
He said: "My wish at the start of another New Year is that all Guyanese work towards strengthening the bonds of family life [although] we may not always be able to provide all of the material comforts needed in our homes, but in a family where there is love and understanding, [there] is to be found contentment and happiness."
In his message, he said that Guyana remains a committed member of Caricom and has good relations with individual member states of this regional grouping as well as with neighbours in South America. He said that traditionally, Guyana has ties with Caricom, North America and Europe. "However, we have begun to diversify our relations while strengthening ties with our traditional friends," he said, stating his pleasure at Guyana's growing standing in Latin America and its expanding economic ties with Brazil, China, Russia and India, the benefits from which, he said, would be felt this year.
He said that as he moves around Guyana he continues to receive complaints about the unresponsiveness of some government functionaries towards members of the public. He has also heard complaints about the ferry services, long waiting times at some public health institutions and flooding because of negligence. "I have encountered pensioners who have been waiting for years to receive their waivers from the payment of water rates, for which they are eligible. I have heard endless woes about the inadequate supply of water, despite my government spending millions in that sector," he said. According to Jagdeo, the solutions to many of those problems are simple, "yet because of the unconscionable behaviour on the part of a few individuals, many are forced to suffer great inconveniences and deprivations.
President Jagdeo made mention of the fact that just recently, public servants, teachers and others in a few regions who are paid from the Treasury did not receive their wages and salaries before the Christmas season. He said that such disservice must be reduced or eradicated this year. "I am also concerned [about] reports [of] the Police not responding in a timely manner when crimes are in progress...I know that in all these sectors there are hard-working employees whose efforts are not given due recognition because of the lackadaisical attitude of their peers. In this new year we must resolve to fix these problems," he said.
He also expressed the concern that many poor parents are forced to purchase textbooks that are not necessary and made to pay for services that should be provided for free. "I have instructed the Minister of Education to investigate these complaints and take action where necessary," he said.
The President also stated that while he is pleased that more cases of child abuse are coming to light, the number of these cases trouble him. "We must be tough on those who spoil the dreams of our children...all Guyanese must become intolerant to this form of abuse," Jagdeo declared.
Turning his attention to the tragedy in South Asia in the wake of Sunday's devastating tsunami, Jagdeo said that while Guyanese have their problems at home, these pale in comparison to the massive loss of live and property caused by natural disasters around the world. "Although not a rich country, we have managed to avoid ethnic and civil strife, famine, extreme poverty, child and gender exploitation, which affect millions and cause untold suffering throughout the world," he said. "This is something we should appreciate and be more thankful for."
He said that over the past few days, "we have all viewed with horror the terrible scenes of death and destruction experienced in Asia by the effects of the tsunami." He extended on behalf of the Guyanese people heartfelt sympathies to the peoples affected by this disaster.
He called the tragedies of the past week a sobering reminder that this journey that "we undertake in life is filled with varying experiences - those of joy and laughter and those of tears and grief...our ability to live happy and fulfilling lives is determined by how we deal with both our triumphs and disappointments."
Over the past year, he said, Guyana has continued on the road to progress in a journey that has not been easy, "but the foundations we laid over the years have made our economy less vulnerable to both external and internal shocks...the resilience of our economy is a good sign."
Noting that there was a time when Guyana consumed more than it produced leaving an onerous debt burden behind, the President said "we have to consolidate … gains by continuing to practice sound fiscal and monetary management and by attracting even more foreign and local investment...I want to promise you that my administration will continue to manage this country as we have done in the past years, in such a way that our children and their children will never again be left with such a burden".
He added: "In keeping with our plans to improve education standards, provide better health facilities, improve our sea defences, provide decent housing, ensure safe and potable water to communities, create more gainful employment for our people and generally improve the well being of Guyanese, several projects have been undertaken by the Government. But the task is not complete. We cannot rest until every Guyanese owns his or her own home, has access to high quality education and health care, and enjoys the basic necessities, including electricity and water."
The President said that the beginning of a new year is a time for reflection, assessment and planning - a time to determine priorities, goals and objectives. "It is a time for making resolutions that would effect change in our lives...I hope all Guyanese would engage in deep personal introspection and decide what you wish to accomplish this year," he said.
He said too that plans for the Government's programmes for 2005 are well advanced and in the weeks ahead Guyanese would be learning more of those plans that would move the country closer to the achievement of a modern, democratic society with guaranteed individual freedoms.