Youths on the Essequibo Coast have urged President Donald Ramotar to explore ways in which branches of the University of Guyana and the National Library could be set up in the county, and to address the problem of unemployment.
The young people had gathered at a forum organised by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) at Cotton Field, Essequibo on Saturday.
President Ramotar interacting with participants at the forum
President Ramotar told the youths that government under his presidency will continue to invest in the country’s human resources.
Ramotar said since 1992 when the PPP/ C government came into power, investment in the country’s human resources has been a top priority.
He said the investment has provided equal opportunities for all Guyanese, noting that the largest share of the budget has always been allocated to the social sector.
He said the establishment of several technical institutes and other learning institutions has provided opportunities for young people to further develop their skills as well as earn an income.
Ramotar said the ruling PPP/ C government has full confidence and faith in young Guyanese, and that is why government is investing heavily in the education sector so that young people can be given the opportunity to elevate themselves.
The president called on youths to study the history of the country as well as the history of the long-standing PPP/ C. According to him, the PPP/ C has a rich and glorious history, and young people must know about the past and struggles Guyana went through before gaining republican status.
Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Alli Baksh said the government has set up the Essequibo Technical Institute and the Guyana School of Agriculture with the aim of giving Essequibo youths the opportunity to study. He said hundreds of acres of farmland are being developed on the coast in an effort to encourage young people to pursue farming.
Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, also speaking at the event, said the president has young people at heart because he came through the ranks of the PYO. He said the forum organised by the PYO is important to bring young people together to discuss and find solutions to issues affecting them. Baksh noted that the PYO is used as a school to train young people to become future leaders of the party.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Essequibo, Ramotar and a delegation inspected the Devonshire Castle sea defence structure on Saturday. The government, in collaboration with the European Union, is constructing the new rip-rap sea wall at Devonshire Castle.
The president and his delegation also inspected the sea defence at Eliza, where construction work is also in progress. Former councillor of the Regional Democratic Council and resident of Devonshire Castle, Pooran Persaud thanked President Ramotar, his government and the EU for the new riprap sea wall and the eastern sea dam embankment that is constructed with tonnes of earth.
