THE year 2021 will be closed on a high note for all Guyanese. The PPP/C Government led by President Irfaan Ali has delivered far beyond its campaign promises and the good life, which was only an illusion for five years under the Coalition, is being made a reality.
Beyond question President Ali has continued the progressive trend which past Presidents of the PPP/C have set. The President has made known from the inception that he is the servant of the people and since then he has been engaging Guyanese from all walks of life and from different political persuasions. He listens and resolves issues on the spot and what is remarkable is that he allows the audience to speak first about their problems. He is not on the campaign trail as his predecessor was. His humble and sympathetic demeanor removes all barriers and Guyanese are allowed to speak freely and without any pretensions. One could sense the complete ease with which the people interact with him.
In July 2019, United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, pointed out the need for a deep-water port in Guyana. She spoke of the port as an infrastructural gap and highlighted the numerous significant benefits which will accrue from this investment and will be a major source in promoting economic growth and development. And as usual the Coalition conducted a number of costly studies which bore no fruit. Moreover, when contacted by the media at that time, Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, was unable to give an update. He was clueless as was his government. The deep-water harbor was just an illusion just as the many campaign promises.
With just over a year in office, the PPP/C Government has delivered not only on the deep-water harbour but also on the bridge to Suriname. On Friday the President was again in Berbice and this time, he cut the ribbon to the access bridge at Seawell which is the first step in the building of the deep-water port to be built by CGX Energy Inc. This massive investment will create business and employment opportunities for Region Six. A few days ago, Minister Mustapha hinted at this development in addition to the building of the all-weather roads at 52 and 58 villages and the opening of over 50,000 acres of new land. He also spoke about the road to Brazil linking the deep-water harbour. This will create access across the borders of Guyana, Brazil, Suriname and the rest of the world via the Atlantic. The increase in trade will definitely push the region and Guyana into being an important partner in international trade bringing a multitude of socio-economic benefits.
This Government has placed emphasis on the development of all the sectors and it is just a matter of time that our economic development will grow by leaps and bounds. Mr President you are a great leader and continue to walk with your people in humility and dignity and continue to be their servant.
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It is estimated that over one million Guyanese, when counting their dependents, live outside of Guyana. This exceeds the population of Guyana, which is now about 750,000. Many left early in the 50’s and 60’s while others went with the next wave in the 70’s and 80’s. The latest wave left over the last 20 years. This outflow of Guyanese, therefore, covers some three generations. This outflow still continues today, where over 80 % of U.G. graduates now leave after graduating. We hope this changes, and soon.
Guyanese, like most others, try to keep their culture and pass it on to their children and grandchildren. The problem has been that many Guyanese have not looked back, or if they did it was only fleetingly. This means that the younger generations and those who left at an early age know very little about Guyana since many have not visited the country. Also, if they do get information about Guyana, it is usually negative and thus the cycle of non-interest is cultivated.
This Guyana Diaspora Online Forum , along with its monthly newsletter, aims at bringing Guyanese together to support positive news, increase travel and tourism in Guyana and, in general, foster the birth of a new Guyana, which has already begun notwithstanding the negative news that grabs the headlines. As the editor and manager of the publication, I am committed to delivering Blog entries and Newsletters that are politically balanced, and focused on the positive ideas we wish to share and foster among Guyanese.
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