President Irfaan Ali last night said that elements of an efficient and reliable governance system must be built on a modern constitution.
In an address to mark the 52nd anniversary of Guyana’s Republican status, the President touched on 10 themes including governance.
“…our governance system must be efficient, reliable, trustworthy, accountable, simple, responsive and flexible to the global environment in which we operate.
“These elements must be built on a modern constitution that must be developed from the people—a process that is ongoing.
“Our laws being reflective of the direction and development trajectory of the country.
“The legislative and judicial arms of Government are modernising and organising to meet the new demands of the future”, he said.
Very little progress has been made over the last 18 months of the administration in relation to constitution reform.
Just before speaking about governance, the President addressed what he described as achievable targets.
He said that achievable targets cannot be US$750m divided by 750,000 citizens. That remark appeared to be a reference to the arguments that have sprung up over how the US$607m allocated to this year’s budget in oil proceeds is to be spent.
“Not only is this mathematically incorrect – it is not realistic or achievable, much less sustainable.
“We have therefore set ourselves targets that are not only achievable but are transformative in nature – namely: cutting cost of electricity by 50%, 50,000 house lots, 50,000 new jobs, $40,000 old-age pensions, $50,000 “Because We Care” grant; 20,000 online scholarships.
“These are all achievable targets! We are on track!” the President declared.
For these targets to be realised, there must be investment in the social and economic transformation of the country.
These investments include:
· Energy sustainability, through the Gas to Energy and hydropower projects,
· New Shore base facilities,
· New Demerara Harbour Bridge
· Major new highways
· New farm to market access roads,
· Support to the private sector in hotel and other tourism investments,
· Expanded mining,
· Forestry,
· Food production,
· Building the knowledge industry and
· Investments in education, and health care with the maternal/children speciality hospital and six regional hospitals.
“We are therefore building an economy that will boast, world-class eco-tourism, world-class urban centres, world-class agriculture and food production using technology, world-class health and educational services, and world-class environmental diversity and ecological services Whilst transitioning into new manufacturing, agro-processing and industrial opportunities, along with the development of a hemp industry and its numerous spinoffs”, he said.
Among other areas he addressed were attitude, character and values and beliefs systems.
