‘I have the plan for Guyana’ – President David Granger
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, February 6, 2020
Addressing a huge crowd at the rally at the Diamond Tarmac, in the Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, His Excellency President David Granger described himself as the “man with a plan” for Guyana.
According to the Head of State, the first step was to provide more jobs for more young people.
Highlighting the disbandment of the Guyana National Service, the president reminded that he reinstituted the Guyana Youth Corp to train youths. “We will train a thousand young people every year for the next ten years…I will do what is right and ensure that our young people get training. The young people have a real campus, at Kuru Kuru, in this very region…fit and proper to get employment.”
He cited the initiatives the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED), Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS), and similar programmes that are benefitting thousands by preparing them for the job market or to manage their own businesses.
“That what we are doing for young people and we will continue doing … Young people! We have to hand this country over to you and we want you to be educated and employed!”
Another major part of his plan is to address the issue of housing. The President noted the inheritance of 170 squatter settlements from the previous administration stating, “We can’t go on like that. APNU+ AFC is changing things. We are going to bring squatting to an end in this country” and mentioned the formation of a National Squatter Regularisation Commission
Referencing former sugar workers, he explained that the formation of the State Land Resettlement Commission will address their employment and empowerment needs. Noting that the industry still employed 10, 000 workers, he reminded that the move to close unprofitable estates was about saving and restructuring the sugar industry, “We care about workers. It was the sensible thing to do.”
The Five Bs programme, launched on July 15, 2015, according to the President has resulted in 30 buses, 12 boats, 5, 000 bicycles are all taking children to school freely. This comes even as the Coalition Government has spent $170Billion on education. The move to connect every school to the internet, the Head of State said, is another initiative that is proof that Guyana is moving at a fast rate and it will continue to move at the faster rate over the next five years.
We are building momentum. We are strong. They can’t stop the tide! Everywhere we are building and they are picketing…We believe in the Big Benab and all are welcome.”
In closing, President Granger stated, “Let us continue …for the sake of our women and children… I will continue to provide leadership and ask that you continue to provide support”