Introduction:
In a few months we will be in a new decade. Hundreds of Guyanese participated in developing the 2001-2010 National Development Strategy. The goal of that plan was “Eradicating Poverty and Unifying Guyana”. It is sad that after almost ten years, the government is yet to embrace the plan and failed to implement numerous recommendations.
Between 1998 and 2003, another study identified areas most suitable for future development on a sustainable, environmentally sound basis and also suitable for the expansion of the country’s economic base. Mr Hamley Case, one of Guyana’s prominent business experts wrote an essay on this subject emphasising the need to follow the recommendations of this study mainly because of the presence and abundance of natural resources within the area which consist mainly Region 10 but also incorporating parts of Regions 3 and 7. This huge area included towns and settlements such as Ituni, Linden, Christiansburg, Wismar, Moblissa, Rockstone, Anarika, Wineperu, Sherima, Monkey Jump, Baganara, Bartica, among other areas. This study was conducted by a top German company. In an essay I wrote — “Rain and Relocate” – on May 10, 2009, I suggested that we look at alternative areas for relocation of the coastal plains given the Global Climate change patterns and economic necessity.
We continue to waste money on the drainage and building of the Hope Canal when we can use these limited funds to look at alternative areas right here in our beautiful nation. In addition to the above proposed economic zones, we have also recommended Lethem be a new hub for economic free zone activity.
The Brazil connection:
We cannot forget why this proposed economic zone is even more critical today for us. We are sitting next to many new economic initiatives that are happening in the areas discussed in my introduction. Linden will become a critical town as these new economic zones are created. The Governor of Roraima signed an agreement with the president of OI Brazilian Telecom Company on May 27, 2009, in Boa Vista, Roraima, and by August of this year, Roraima State will have bandwidth internet with an optic fibre link from Venezuela up to the south of Roraima, and after some months, the optic fibre bandwidth will link Manaus in Amazon state. The international agreement was signed by both presidents (Brazil and Venezuela) on May 27, 2009 also.
So, as you can see, things are really happening in Roraima State, and more recently many new international agreements with Brazil and Venezuela were signed on May 27, 2009 including the abolishment of passports for both Brazil and Venezuela and only needing to show an ID Photo Card. Guyana must be integrated in the MERCOSUR. South America must create a strong and potential Economic Bloc, as well as happen with the European Union, NAFTA, etc.
One Brazilian colleague told me that it is time for Guyana to pay attention to our backyard and make Lethem a major town, ready to negotiate with our strong neighbours. Roraima has already two free commerce areas (Boa Vista and Bonfim cities), and one new Brazilian Federal Law was approved recently where Boa Vista will have an exportation processing zone.
It is time to stop ignoring Brazil’s potential economic force and it is time to create new commercial links with the state of Roraima, Brazil. Our foreign trade policy is non-existent.
2011-2021
There is a need great need to relook at the 2001 NDS and update it for 2011-2021. A civil group and a political body t have taken the lead on this project. The goal is to develop a plan that focuses on but not limited to:
Economic efficiency
Sustainable use of resources
Environmental protection
Social equity
Diversification
Social acceptance/benefits
Creation of employment
To identify value-added products
Improvement of living conditions for the local population
To make the best use of existing potentials in key areas of
our nation
Conclusion:
We must consider a new National Development Strategy of utmost importance to the future development of our nation. This government has run our nation on an ad hoc, unplanned development and has placed Guyana at the bottom of the league of developing nations in the hemisphere. The Low Carbon Development Strategy has been developed in isolation of the NDS. As proposed before, consideration will be given to the allocation of homesteads for “Land for Youth” 18 to 35 years old along the Linden/Lethem road. Naturally a new government will put in the basic physical/economic and social infrastructure to make the homestead areas habitable. These homestead lands will be in the region of 3-5 acres each and ownership (transport) will only be granted after an agreed period of beneficial use as determined by the homestead communities with a minimal Central Government representation. Diaspora Guyanese who fall into the same age range will be included in a proposed free land for youth programme.
There is a need again for a well thought out plan for the development of our nation that will create jobs and economic prosperity for all versus the corruption and incompetency we have experienced. Until next time “Roop”
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