Guyana government's focus shifts
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| Published on Friday, April 20, 2007 |
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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA): With the successful conclusion of the 19th Rio Group Summit and Cricket World Cup, the Guyana government’s attention has returned to the country’s national agenda and fulfilling the promises made by the Head of State during National Elections.
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Guyana's President Bharrat
Jagdeo. AFP PHOTO |
President Jagdeo in an interview with the Government Information Agency expanded, “The government basically for a while was just focused on getting us ready for Rio Group, cricket and passing the Budget. But now it’s back to work. Soon you will see my Ministers going around the country talking to people in communities about roads, electricity and new housing schemes… The things we have always done. So we go back in that mode shortly trying to reach out to our people.”
Within the past two days the president has gone back into his regular routine monitoring the progress of current projects and advancing talks for future programmes.
“I am just tracking all the major projects that we have now. We are going to start discussions soon on energy related matters. I have to now put a strong emphasis on the hydro-power, completing the Berbice River Bridge, to get some more tourist-related facilities built and looking at the capital budget,” the president explained.
This week the Head of State met the main contractor and sub-contractors for the power plant and civil works at the Skeldon sugar factory.
“They assured me that it would be completed on time and this is very important to us because that project would add to the sustainability of sugar and we had some further discussions with them in which we are exploring in relation to an equity investment in a refinery because there is a huge market for refined sugar in our region and the prices are very remunerative.”
Jagdeo also noted that added focus will be placed on the capital budget.
“Most of our roads that were supposed to be done this year have not been started on time, so we have to get those done quickly.”
During the 2006 National elections campaign, President Jagdeo had listed a number of projects to be pursued if the administration was re-elected.
Some of these promises included assisting single parents, housing the nation, the provision and development of alternative electricity, expansion of tertiary education, protection for vulnerable children, building the capacity of youths and hinterland development.
Jagdeo said, “Today I discussed how we will go about helping those mothers who have a difficult time in managing and taking care of their children. We also promised at that time to spend more on sports and culture.”
He noted that the 2007 national budget caters for the promised $100M allocation to sport and arts development.
“We have to find good mechanisms for supporting different kinds of sports and cultural activities that will not just add to the physical well being of our people but would bring more people together and add to the sense of patriotism,” the President said.
Already several promises made by Jagdeo have begun to materialise with some big projects on the horizon. |
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