We have achieved much over the past 45 years as a country

Jun 13, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
What have we achieved in 45 years, as a country, as a people, as individuals? For someone who has been living in Guyana for at least 30 years, the answer would be…very much.  The achievements are tangible and intangible and are there for all to see and derive benefits, yet there are some who peddle misinformation, expecting the Guyanese people to remain quiet and accept it as truth when everyone knows that there are certain indisputable facts that stare us in the face each day.
Michael Hope graced the Stabroek News letter column with his opinion on development in Guyana over the last 45 years since Independence, stating that we have achieved no proper development in all these years.
I would like to draw Mr. Hope’s attention to a few facts. We don’t even need to go back 45 years; we can focus on the last 15 years or so. During this time, Guyana saw an explosion of development in all areas, because this was not limited to any one area or sector.
Take for instance in the housing sector. Since 1992, several new housing schemes were developed and over 80,000 house lots were allocated to Guyanese from all walks of life. Schemes were established at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo; Parfaite/Harmonie and Belle West at Canal Number One, Diamond/Grove on the East Bank of Demerara, Enterprise, Non Pariel, and Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara; Sophia, Culvert City in the Lethem area, and Glasgow in Berbice. These, of course, are just a few of the numerous schemes Government has opened up, making housing affordable to Guyanese.
Ordinary people have been using that piece of land, to which they hold a title in their name, to build a better life for themselves and their families. They can now access loans at a ceiling of up to $15M at less than 12 percent interest. Guyanese couldn’t do this in the past. Because of the housing drive, Government held discussions with the commercial banks and made arrangements for ordinary Guyanese to access loans to construct their dream homes, purchase vehicles and do so much for themselves.
Only last year, the Guyana Revenue Authority announced that the ‘MM’ series which had officially commenced on August 11, 2009 would come to an end, since Guyana had seen a
significant growth in the number of motor vehicles traversing the roadways. The series ends when 9,999 vehicles are registered. The Authority had said that the ‘NN’ series was expected to commence on or around October 22, 2010.
In the past Guyanese couldn’t afford to have cars. These were seen as a luxury and only the rich could afford them. The roads were in a terrible state too, so persons were hesitant to purchase cars. Today we see 9,999 vehicles being registered in a period of just over a year. Still some people say there has been no progress!
We have so many cars on the road now that even though so many roads have been made and some made better, Government has to now look at opening new roadways to ease the congestion. Travelling from the East Bank in the mornings during rush hour is very tedious these days since the traffic lines are so long and with more persons purchasing more cars, I expect that the lines will be longer before you know it.
The number of roads and bridges that were built is numerous. Areas which never had roads before, now have paved roads in some cases, while others benefit from passable streets.
The interior, where many areas were landlocked, is now more accessible and persons living there are able to travel out of their communities to seek markets for their produce. They produce more and they are able to purchase things to take back to their villages. In the past those who were outside of those areas were locked out while those living there were locked in.
We have proper roads across the country, along the Coastal Belt roads were improved, with street lighting and good bridges while areas including Essqeuibo, West Demerara, East Bank Demerara and so many other places saw the same development.
The Berbice River Bridge, which I am sure Guyanese will agree is a blessing, is one such development that Guyana will benefit from for generations to come. People traveling along that corridor no longer have to wait for hours to get on the ferry that transports them to either side of the Berbice River.
In the area of education, children across the country have access to education up to the university level, regardless of where they live. Hundreds of schools were constructed across the country.
To list a few, Santa Rosa Secondary, Hosororo Primary School and Wauna Nursery in the North West District; in Region Two Aurora Nursery, Bethany Primary, and Cotton Field Secondary; Greenwich Park Primary, Leonora Secondary, Anna Catherina Nursery; etc. These schools are among thousands where our children receive a free education.
In some areas where there are no secondary schools, transportation and other arrangements including dormitory facilities are made for these children to continue their studies. Those desirous of attending the University of Guyana are able to do so through these same facilities too.
Meanwhile, in the area of health there are several new hospitals at Mahaicony, West Demerara, East Bank, Mackenzie, Leonora, among others.
Health centres and health huts were constructed across the country to provide primary healthcare, and persons from outlying areas can benefit from the medivac service should the need arise.
The Providence Stadium stands testimony to another of Guyana’s achievements and yet we have writers like Mr. Hope who brave the letter pages to make such statements about Guyana’s achievements.
Brian Azore

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