Agricola residents, government partner to uplift youths, transform community

cent payment for Amerindian communities, the government continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to improve healthcare, education, and water access, upgrade roads and other infrastructure in Hinterland and riverine communities, President Ali stated.

“So let us not be side tracked from the selfish desires of a bunch that cared nothing about hinterland development…We are committed to the development of all of Guyana. I am committed to working with every single community,” the head of state added.

As part of the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation in 2022, Guyana will earn US$750 million for its forest, with 15 per cent of that amount, or $4.6 billion (US$22 million), being distributed among the communities. Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that each of the approximately 240 communities will receive no less than $10 million and up to $35 million.

In an effort to create a better future for persons living in the community of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has outlined several projects to be undertaken immediately.

Dr Ali made the announcement during an impromptu meeting in the community Sunday (February 26, 2023), aimed at chartering a future that will give young people the best possibilities, as well as transforming the community. While there were a number of issues raised by residents, President Ali said his government will immediately put mechanisms in place to address priority matters. He underscored the need for improved drainage infrastructure and creating a better environment by cleaning the surroundings, noting that the community will be actively involved in the works to improve the area, creating ownership and a sense of responsibility. He said, “Based on what I heard, the drainage is the number one priority… We are going to start before the end of next week, to get a group together from the community itself that we are going to engage [and] hire to clean all the internal drainage [and] to look at all the culverts.”

Additionally, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will also be commencing works to excavate the two major drainage canals in the area and to examine and fix the malfunctioning koker that the residents highlighted.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will visit the community to assess and address the water issues there, as instructed by the head of state.

“They are going to come in [and] flush the system… However, we are investing in a number of projects right now that will see you getting treated water in another two and a half years or less,” Dr Ali stated.

Meanwhile, a number of existing recreational infrastructures in Agricola will be revamped to be more conducive for youth and family activities.

The President expressed his desire to provide training for young people interested in the construction sector. Persons who are willing to receive the technical skills were asked to register their names and get ready for the new knowledge.

The construction sector, he said, requires a lot of workers, and the government aims to provide employment opportunities, especially for those who receive training.

“We want the young people in this community to be part of the works to improve the community, because it creates more ownership, it is your community and [you] will want to see it done better,” the president emphasised.

Dr Ali underscored the need for residents to work together to find solutions for the challenges facing Agricola, and stressed the importance of creating a positive environment, where everyone supports each other, and the community can generate positivity.

Guyanese in the Bahamas were reminded by President Dr. Irfan Ali that Guyana presents very strong leadership in the areas of food security, energy security, and climate security.

“Today, in this region, we present very strong leadership on food security, energy security, and climate security. The next seven years are dedicated to building an economy and a country that will be able to efficiently and competitively survive in a global system that will be very, very different from what we see today.”

The Head of State also spoke extensively about Government’s development plan in these as well as other major areas, including agriculture and healthcare, at a meeting with the Diaspora on the margins of the 44th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Government of the CARICOM Community.

Dr Ali emphasised that his administration is working in a very strategic way to position Guyana not as a participant, but as a leader in these areas, pointing to the hallmark agreement made between the Government of Guyana and Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits for a minimum of US$750 million.

“So we are already positioning Guyana to be the leader in relation to biodiversity services, carbon services, environmental services…”

The President said that Guyana is working with India and Rwanda to explore the pharmaceutical value and potential of the country’s forest.

Regarding Energy Security, Dr Ali pointed to ongoing discussions with Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago to develop an energy corridor.

“The energy potential of Guyana is enormous- wind, solar, hydro. And, we are now presenting an energy platform that is diversified and has the potential of being a major revenue earner for our country.”

He also spoke about Guyana’s natural gas potential and the establishment of a natural gas plant. “I had a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and they are in the final stages of wrapping up things to lend the resources for the first natural gas pipeline and natural gas plant for Guyana. This is easily the largest investment in the energy sector and in any single project in the history of Guyana.”

President Ali explained that this investment will facilitate the delivery of energy at 50% per cent of the cost every household is paying now for electricity in less than two years. He also explained that this would allow Guyana to have the most competitive environment for manufacturing and industrial development in the entire Latin America and the Caribbean. This advancement will bring another wave of opportunities, including direct savings to families.

A New Story In Food Production

President Ali spoke at length about the country’s leading role in food security and its role in the global planning framework on energy security and food production.

“And we are already presenting global leadership on food security… Two years ago, we set ourselves a target to produce all the corn and soya that we need as input for our feed production for livestock and poultry. And I’m very pleased to report to you, with the investments we have made and the private investment, we are well on our way to becoming self-sufficient by 2025 and might very well be in a position to export in the region for the first time…”

The country, President Ali added, continues to attract major investments in the sector, including from the African Export-Import Bank. “So, a new story is unfolding in food production and agriculture.”

Another noteworthy development is the single window permit system that his Government is developing to fast-track investment and development.

The President also elaborated on various development projects being undertaken by his Government as well as the ongoing transformation of the health sector, including the increase in salaries and training of nurses.

He also spoke of his plan to ensure world-class educa- tion system for Guyanese, including special needs education.

One Guyana

The Head of State noted that while Guyana’s story is unfolding globally, this development story is not only predicated on oil and gas but rather policies and programmes to build a resilient, sustainable and strong country under the umbrella of ‘One Guyana’. “And that is what I’ve been working on; creating this one Guyana in which we build a system that delivers prosperity for every single Guyanese and every single Guyanese family,” he said.

Aside from the major transformative projects, the Head of State pointed to the importance of shaping the right collective mindset. He said, “And this, for me, is the important project, changing the mindset, changing the way we relate to each other, community by community, household by household.

And I assure you I will not rest until this country is unified.”

He added that this re - quires the involvement and support of every Guyanese. Ali said, “It requires every single Guyanese changing from the inside. It requires every Guyanese making a special effort and a special commitment to being part of the positive transformation, to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

He encouraged those present to join with his Government in building a country and a society that is stronger, more prosperous and one that delivers to the aspirations and ambitions of the people of the country.

Ali stressed, “I stand committed to this…”

The President reiterated the importance of engagements with the Diaspora, which he said provides an opportunity to connect with those who continue to contribute to the development of Guyana and facilitate the exchange of ideas.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Hugh Todd and the Director of Presidential Affairs, Ms Marcia Nadir-Sharma, were also at the meeting.