Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said the nation must move forward in unity in order that it might achieve all the plans and net gains from investments already made, in his address to Region Ten residents at the flag-raising ceremony held to mark Guyana’s 40th Republic anniversary.
Ali said on the occasion of Republic Day citizens should be inspired to renew their spirit and enthusiasm for nation-building for the generations to come. He urged Guyanese to examine the various challenges, opportunities, threats and weaknesses that lie ahead and find solutions to them in order to develop a prosperous country. “In doing all of this, we must understand our core values, the morals and values that guide us as a nation…The centrepiece of all of this, is our motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’,” the Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted him as saying.
He also told the gathering that they must be unified in everything they do. “We must work in a unified manner…towards a unified goal and that unified goal is to ensure that all of our brothers and sisters of Guyana have an opportunity as a people to life…We must examine as a nation various policies and programmes that we have developed and are developing to ensure that our people have a better standard of living,” Ali said.
He said the nation continues to be challenged by incidents of domestic violence and crime and it must understand that these issues could impede development unless they are addressed. In the light of this Ali said citizens should walk in love and unity with each other and they should make every effort to ensure that every person understands the importance of working together and the importance of building together.
The minister said government is at an exciting threshold in the endeavours it plans to undertake to advance the economy. He said with the establishment of a new fibre optic cable, every single Guyanese family can now access internet facilities. This initiative will also provide job opportunities for thousands of people. As regard the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and hydro-power energy, he said though Guyana is a small country it is leading the way internationally to ensure that economic progress continues while safeguarding its environment. The LCDS offers Guyana an opportunity to help the world, he said.
Ali noted that once Guyana is able to get revenue for its standing forest there will be resources available to expand the country’s economy. Its energy needs will also be met with the construction of the hydro power station which would attract investment and propel the economy. “These are all very important issues that we as a nation would confront in the future. It is important as we celebrate milestones like these that we seek to understand the policies and the development agenda of our country so that we could participate actively in that agenda,” Ali said.
In relation to housing and water sector, the minister said about $400M will be invested to develop another 1,000 house lots at Amelia’s Ward by year-end. This would be complemented by a $68M well constructed in the community, which will soon be commissioned.
Meanwhile Region Ten, Chairman Mortimer Mingo lauded the community for attending the flag-raising ceremony. He said their attendance is a symbol of the patriotism that binds persons’ together as a republic with a rich culture and deeply ingrained Guyanese identity. Mingo said too the event is an extension and strengthening of Guyanese identity that becomes important to persons’ efforts to develop as a nation as they work towards securing improved circumstances for their children. “Your Regional Democratic Council continues to work along with our residents to define and secure developmental initiatives for us all,” he added.