President Donald Ramotar on February 10, warned the National Assembly that his administration will not be held at ransom by any intractable posture by the opposition while stressing the importance of the House working together in the best interest of all citizens.
“As willing however as my government is to exercise patience, forbearance, and reasonableness in the interest of all of our people, my administration will not be held ransom to intractable postures,” the president said in his inaugural speech to the National Assembly in which he had served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for some 20 years.
He said the 10th Parliament has been convened in a “very challenging period” in the country’s history, noting that “for the first time we are faced with a situation in which no party has an absolute majority”. “It is a new situation to us, but one that has been experienced in some other countries of the world,” the president said, pointing out that the reviews of such parliaments have been mixed.
He urged the various MPs to act with much maturity during this sitting of the National Assembly to avoid gridlock and inertia.
“To move forward will call for maturity. If we are to avoid gridlock and inertia, political cooperation in the interest of the development of Guyana must exist. This is the reality that we face, we must avoid gridlock. At this time, given the significant development under the PPP/C, my administration would be loath to accept gridlock that can stymie Guyana’s development.”
Ramotar acknowledged that there would be differences amongst parliamentarians on different sides of the House but urged that good sense prevails to ensure that the end result is one that would be beneficial to the people of the country.
“I am convinced that we have the capacity to rise to this challenge. I am satisfied that we are capable of demonstrating to the Guyanese nation that while political competition and diversity are essential in a democracy, they should not foreclose on the possibilities for compromise and consensus in the way we do business. Indeed, the make-up of this new Parliament dictates that we seek consensus and compromise and should resist the temptation to believe that any party can ride rough shod over another. Any such attempt may see us missing the historical opportunities that this new composition offers.”
The president appealed for common ground to be found while ensuring that the interest of the citizenry is put first. He assured that within his administration, there is the political will to ensure that the people of the country are put first.
“My government has already committed to regular engagements with the parliamentary parties. Through these engagements, I hope that we can continue to nurture political trust and create an enabling climate for consensus building. It was disappointing that we did not find consensus in the election of the Speaker of the Assembly. However, I am still optimistic that seeking agreements by dialogue is still the best way forward. I also believe that working in this Parliament can contribute in building trust that is so important for our political culture,” President Ramotar remarked.
He added that should there be unwavering support of all parliamentarians, the country will have a proud record to stand on.
The president noted that the economic climate globally has affected Guyana and the Caribbean region as a whole, and as such, urged that there be stronger regional ties economically. He said “our region too is going through tough times because of the fall in tourist arrivals in the Caribbean and the ever rising price for energy”.
“In these new and changing circumstances, our foreign policy becomes very important. This policy must be conducted to fundamentally protect us from the negative impact of the global crises and to give us an opportunity to grow. We must continue to build and consolidate our relations with our traditional partners while, at the same time broadening those relations with others, particularly those emerging economies with whom we have had longstanding, friendly and fruitful ties. Expanding our relations will open new markets for our products and services and make us less susceptible to the economic shocks that originate from outside our own borders,” he added.
He continued: “At the regional level, we have to continue to work for greater integration of our economies. I know I am only repeating what was said so often in the past, when I declare that integration of the region has far greater benefits than going separately. I am convinced that we in Guyana have a central role to play in a much broader integration which I envisage is possible. We can become a bridge between the Caribbean and South America.”
The head of state said though Guyana is a small country, it has made quite an indelible mark on the international scene, pointing to the country’s fight against climate change. He urged that the country’s economy be properly managed as there is a need for “prudence and good management”.
He said Guyana’s economy has come a far way, moving from a “US$ 317 million economy in 1991 to a US$ 2.261 billion economy in 2010. Our per capita income has moved from a US$ 304 million to US$ 2,533 billion in 2010. All the economic indicators tell of the great progress we have made. Commercial bank assets have risen from Gy$ 25 billion in 1992 to Gy$ 296 billion in 2010. In the same period, loans to the private sector increased from Gy$ 7 billion to Gy$ 112 billion while interest rates tumbled from a height of 35 per cent to now within a range of between five per cent to 11 per cent”. He noted also the success of slashing external debt from “US$ 2.1 billion to just about $1 billion today. We have grown our external reserve from US$ 123 million to the highest it has ever been, US$ 780 million”.
President Ramotar said Guyana is now poised to take off economically, but noted that for this to happen, relevant issues will have to be tackled. There are several avenues the president said that can provide the citizens with much economic scope, he pointed to “cheap and clean power” along with reliable energy, an expansion in the manufacturing sector, as well as agro-processing and value-added to minerals. In that regard, the head of state said well paying jobs will be created.
“Mr Speaker, we have to maintain and improve the traditional sectors, sugar, rice and bauxite. Agriculture, in my view has a very important role in the future development of Guyana… Clearly with the pressure on lands, food prices will rise. This is already happening. We are very well placed to take advantage of this because we have land and abundant fresh water, both of which are indispensable to the expansion and diversification of agriculture.”
He added too that mining will be extremely important to the country’s “rapid economic development”. “The two bauxite companies operating here now are expected to increase production beginning from this year. This will create new jobs for our workers in the Bauxite belt and in transportation as well… We are also witnessing increased investments in gold mining which is employing growing numbers of workers. But while we reform and modernise these sectors, we will also be diversifying into new high income and high yielding growth poles.”
He added that if Guyana’s goods and services are to be globally competitive, the cost for transport must be reduced while market access must be improved for the export of the goods.
The president said Guyana has travelled a long road since it gained independence in 1966, contending that it was not an easy path. He said “Sometimes we seemed to be on a highway and at other times we navigated a narrow and twisting path. Today we are on another open path. I believe that we are at the threshold of a rapid development that can take us to great heights. I urge that we must not miss this opportunity and allow our country to traverse the narrow and difficult roads again. This 10th Parliament can go down in history as being the one that can see us firmly on the highways to peace, progress and prosperity”.
Comments are closed.