GEORGETOWN: President Donald Ramotar has assured Guyanese that his Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project along with all its attendant benefits and that within months they are expected to achieve financial closure on the administration’s flagship project.
“…We expect to achieve financial close and commence construction, and this project will come into operation during our new term in office,” Ramotar told the nation in his New Year’s address. The project had hit a snag when the opposition derailed the passage of a critical piece of legislation back in 2012 causing a major investor to walk away. However, the administration has pursued other avenues. President Ramotar said with an opposition that has displayed a “remarkable anti-developmental tendency” it is important that “we regain the majority in the National Assembly to ensure continued social and economic progress.” Ramotar reiterated that the foundation has been laid for a brighter tomorrow for all Guyanese. “With a renewed mandate, my Government pledges to sustain and build on the gains we have already made as a country. We will continue to invest heavily in the physical infrastructure that is so critical to creating jobs and improving livelihoods. High amongst our priorities will be to ensure the achievement of more affordable and more reliable energy. For too long, Guyanese have looked forward to harnessing our country’s vast hydropower potential. The time for realizing this dream is long overdue. Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana.”
Fresh mandate
However, despite no hints at a date for general elections, President Ramotar said that his Government needs a fresh mandate to move this country forward in the face of opposition obstructions. “Indeed the year was very eventful and marked with both significant gains and major challenges. Many of the events that occurred in the just concluded year will impact on developments in this New Year. I have no doubt in my mind that we will overcome the challenges, and we will continue to advance our all round gains and improve the quality of life of our people.”
He said however, that his optimism is grounded in the history of this country. “Our people have always displayed remarkable strength and resilience in the face of major challenges. It is this history that has moulded our character. We must now use this eternal optimism and strength that our fore parents displayed to continue to forge ahead in the face of the many challenges that are posed due to both international and local events.”
He said that it is significant that 2014 saw Guyana growing economically for the ninth successive year. “This is the longest period of continuous economic growth in the recent history of our country. It is even more noteworthy that this growth was achieved in the most testing of circumstances. Over just the two and a half years to mid-year 2014, the size of our economy has increased by 25 percent to $650 billion, our country has attracted more than US$629 million in foreign direct investment, credit to the private sector has grown by 41.5 percent to $190.5 billion, and total deposits in the commercial banks has grown by 22.1 percent to $334.6 billion.” Ramotar said all of this was achieved despite the fact that the international environment was not favourable for some of the important sectors of our economy.
Parliament
Turning his attention locally Ramotar explained that on November 10th, he was forced to prorogue the National Assembly because of the attempt by the opposition to close it down.
“I did this for two reasons mainly. First I had hoped, as I still do, that we can have dialogue on many important issues that I would like to see resolved by this 10th Parliament. I have already highlighted the education and AML/CFT Bills that are pending before the Assembly. In addition to these, we have the important Telecommunications Bill which will liberalise the sector, promote competition, reduce telecom cost to consumers, create conditions for more job creation and improve our competitiveness as an investment destination.”
Ramotar said he thought that these were important enough to get through without delay. Secondly, he said it is important to note that, had the opposition proceeded with their intended No Confidence Motion, thousands of Guyanese voters would have been disenfranchised “given where we were in the voter registration process.”
He said thus far the opposition has spurned his attempts to discuss these issues and in their customary manner have rejected his invitation to dialogue. “Clearly, we can’t continue in this way. We need a mandate to continue the progress that we have started that has brought our country such a far way from what it was two decades ago.”
The President said his government will continue to expand roads and bridges network, including ensuring greater access to “our geographic neighbours.”
He said during the next term of office, “my Government will work with our partners to bridge the Corentyne River and to complete the road from Brazil along with the accompanying deep water harbour. We will also improve ease of movement within our borders by upgrading the major hinterland arteries and widening our major coastal highways. Within our towns and villages, rehabilitation and upgrading our urban and community roads will continue apace, all with the aim of improving access.”
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