PROMISES FULFIL
Keeping Promises
To Guyanese
TISES FULFILLED
Ever since becoming President of Guyana, His Excellency President Bharrat
Jagdeo has proven successful in fulfilling many of the promises he made to
people and communities as he moved around the country, taking heed of the
concerns voiced by Guyanese of every ethnic group and from every stratum of
society.
In his inauguration address in 2001, the President reviewed progress in
many areas since the return of the People's Progressive Party/Civic to the
Government, including health care, education, housing, water, job creation,
local government, strengthening the armed forces, public sectorwages, public
accountability and economic governance.
President Jagdeo also took the time, in his address, to point out areas in
which there was still much work to be done. He identified the urgency of
reducing poverty levels, providing ad quate housing for families, affordable
health care for all, jobs and oth rtunities for young people and better
salaries and improved condition e workforce.
President Jagdeo also obseB_ t stable and prosperous societies are
built by genuine concerns being addr not by rhetoric and spurious
charges.
"And this is the reason why I am urging that we move on so that the
politicians of this country could never be accused of wasting the dreams of
our young people," the President said.
Almost three years have passed, and during that time, President Jagdeo
has made and kept a long list of promises that has considerably improved the
well-being of people in communities across Guyana.. These promises fulfilled
affect a variety of sectors, including water, infrastructure in the capital, in
towns and villages, health care delivery, education,. including new schools
and scholarships, and facilities in indigenous communities.
This publication serves to present a President who is mindful of promises
he makes, and who, as much as possible, works to keep them, in the face of
challenges and inadequate resources.
The degree to which President Bharrat Jagdeo succeeds in doing what he
promises to do is testimony to a Head of State who truly cares about the welfare
of the people and the country he serves.
The following is just a synopsis of some of the promises fulfilled.
PAGE 1
PROMISES FULFI
Delivering on promises
in the Education Sector
USES FULFILLED
Promises are often associated with politicians, but
are not often kept. This is not the case with President
Bharrat Jagdeo. Since assuming Office in 1999,
President Bharrat Jagdeo has made several promises
in the education sector, the major ones being a
University of Guyana Campus in Berbice, an
Information Technology Centre for the University and
more scholarship opportunities.
Today, standing tall in the ancient county of
Berbice at Tain on the Corentyne Coast is a University
of Guyana campus, which accommodates 300-odd
students pursuing various disciplines. Additionally,
the campus is being extended.
F ,if
In 2001, while addressing students at the
University's first Career Day, the Head of State
committed $200M to an Information Technology
Centre.
In January 2004, the President declared open the
state-of-the art structure.
PAGE 2
PROMISES FULFIL
Delivering on promises
in the Education Sector
ISES FULFILLED
The President in 2001 secured 350 scholarships in
various disciplines. More than 200 Guyanese students
have already taken up these. The Head of State after
visiting India in 2003 managed to secure additional
scholarships, bringing the total to 45 annually.
Government has also increased the number of
hinterland scholarships available to Amerindian
students to pursue studies in Georgetown.
-,
Overcrowding at the Tagore Memoa High
School and dilapidated conditions at the Corriverton
School were the reasons residents, teachers and
students appealed to the President for an extension
to the Tagore Memorial High School and a new
school at Corriverton.
Today the Tagore Memorial High School has been
extended to adequately accommodate students and
a new School was commissioned in 2002 at
Corriverton.
PROMISES FULFI
Delivering on promises
in the Education Sector
1ISES FULFILLED
The Amerindians, natives to Guyana, is often
regarded as benefiting the least from development.
This is largely because their homes, located in the
hinterland regions, are not easily accessible.
However, the PPP/C Government has always
prioritised the needs of the Amerindians. In
September 2001, President Bharrat Jagdeo promised
the students enhanced access to education via
scholarships and a library at the hostel in
Georgetown. One year later he students staying at
the Hostel in Princess Street were able to utilize the
library, furnished with relevant texts to both the
primary and secondary levels.
In 2001, the President secured 350 scholarships
from Cuba. Many Amerindian students have been
awarded these. They benefit through the Public
Service Ministry and the Hinterland Students
scholarship programme. The latter hosts 225 students
and sees an annual intake of 60 students.
PAGE 4
Improving education access
for rural communities
Residents of Edinburgh have over the years
clamoured for their own health centre, as the
nearest facility to the communities is too far away.
Addressing this need, President Bharrat Jagdeo,
during a Cabinet Outreach, made a commitment
to have the centre built in Edinburgh.
In 2002 October, the President returned to
commission the more than $10M Health centre.
PROMISES FULFIL
1ISES FULFILLED
*-' Vh~l
PAGE 5
Improving the lives of
the indigenous people
The President had promised to build
a newAmerindian Hostel at Mahaicony
Region Five. That was completed in
2002.
President Bharrat Jagdeo pro o provide
accommodation for Amerindian i nts from
various villages attending scho Ignatius
Region Nine. This promise in 2001
after several requests to the Head of S
St. Ignatius now boasts a dor
Amerindian students from several vill
Picture of dorm, St. Ignatius
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
1l
PAGE 6
Delivering on promises
in the Governance Sector
A true people's person, President Jagdeo
during the campaign leading up to the 2001
Elections, promised to bring the governing to the
governed.
Every year the President and his Cabinet
members spread out across Guyana on numerous
occasions to ascertain and address the needs of
Guyanese and to include them in the decision
making process.
OMISES FULFIL
1ISES FULFILLED
PAGE 7
PROMISES FULFI
Delivering on promises
in the Governance Sector
USES FULFILLED
Time and time again President Bharrat Jagdeo
has promised to include all interest groups in the
process of Governance especially the political
parties.
To this end the Head of State has engaged
the political Opposition in dialogue with both the
past and present Leaders Desmond Hoyte and
Robert Corbin. The President also had
consultation with the political parties on crime.
PAGE
Delivering on promises
to develop Linden
In 2001, the Head of State committed to the
economic development of Linden following the
downturn of bauxite operations in the mining
town.
The Linden Economic Advancement
Programme (LEAP) was launched in 2002. It was
funded by a $400M grant from the European
Union. This programme trains people; design
business plans and aid access to business
development, all aimed at fostering
entrepreneurial skills. 4 I Bl
XXYE
PROMISES FULFIL
-;SES FULFILLED
PAGE 9
Meeting the
needs of people...
President Bharrat Jagdeo promised staffers at
the Linden Hospital Complex a new Ambulance
in 2001.
On September 12, 2002 the medical vehicle
was handed over.
3 "
k ----^ Kowa
I d --A'i
During a Cabinet Outreach to Ess E in
2000, President Bharrat Jagdeo promised to
ensure that key services are provided within the
Region. One of the requests was a fire station.
In 2003 October, Minister of Home Affairs
Ronald Gajraj commissioned the new fire station
and an access bridge costing $24M.
aa**r
PAGE 10
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
Meeting the
needs of Berbicians
President Bharrat Jagdeo during
the 2001 elections campaign promised
Berbicians a new Police Station at
Rose Hall.
In 2003, the new outpost was
commissioned by Minister of Home
Affairs Ronald Gajraj.
PROMISES FULFIL
1ISES FULFILLED
PAGE 11
V11
PROMISES FULFI
Delivering promises to children P
...ensuring a healthy nation LL
1 SES FULFILLED
Taking care of the nation's children; President
Bharrat Jagdeo shortly after being sworn in as
President in 1999 promised to allocate money to
specifically fund treatment overseas for children.
The same year $100M from the Lottery Funds
paid to Government was given to treat more than
100 Guyanese children in Trinidad. The Ministry
of Health also has a standard programme for
overseas and local treatment, which amounts to
about $100M annually.
PAGE 12
PROMISES FULFIL
Bridging the disparity
4SES FULFILLED
Government has always expended much effort
into bridging the gap between the services offered
in the City and those available in the Regions. To
this end, President Bharrat Jagdeo during a
Cabinet Outreach in 2000 to Essequibo promised
several facilities including a multi-purpose
building, a Town Hall, Technical Institute at
Essequibo and a wharf at Charity.
These were all delivered in 2002 and 2003. The
Technical Institute was constructed at the cost of
$92M, the Town Hall at $54M and the multi-purpose
centre at $4.5M all at Anna Regina. The wharf at
Charity cost $10M.
PAGE 13
. If -
' A~ad
Modernising the
sugar industry
At his inauguration in 1999, President Bharrat
Jagdeo promised to never neglect the sugar
industry.
During his State visit to India in 2004, the
President secured a line of credit for the Rose Hall,
Albion and Blairmont Estates from the Exim Bank
in India.
Also through the Japanese Government there
is a US$110M modernisation project at Skeldon.
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
PAGE 14
Delivering on promises
in the sport Sector
The President after meeting with stakeholders
in 2003 agreed to assist with the building of a
stadium so that Guyana can bid to host the World
Cup cricket in 2007
Following the President's second State visit to
India in January 2004, the Indian Government
agreed to contribute US $6M towards the stadium's
financing. The remaining cost of the US$20M
stadium will be funded through soft loan.
Construction for the stadium will start later this
year at the Providence site, East Bank Demerara.
PROMISES FULFIL
-;SES FULFILLED
PAGE 15
Delivering on promises in
the Housing Sector
In 2000, the President promised easy access to
low income houses.
The Bill for Low Income Loans was passed the
same year. Guyanese can now access up to $2M
to build houses
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
M11 I
r
ill.
PAGE 16
L- t
rjLriiF_~
kr,
Improving the
Rice Industry
Government had always shown commitment
to its people and finding solutions to problems in
the various industries. It is in this context that
President Bharrat Jagdeo in September 22, 2001
promised farmers who owed the banks small loans
to assist them.
On January 31, 2002, the President after
meeting the Guyana Association of Bankers,
announced a 'Relief Package' for rice farmers with
small loans. Some 1200 farmers were entitled to
this benefit.
PROMISES FULFIL
-;SES FULFILLED
PAGE 17
i!g r
kS~1 t
PROMISES FULFI
Providing basic utilities
to rural communities
IlSES FULFILLED
The Head of State has repeatedly promised
on his visits to the Regions to work at electrify
areas that have been without electricity for
years...
In 2001 December, Prime Minister Samuel
Hinds switched on the first light switch to power
the communities of Kilcoy and Chesney.
Sandvroot followed shortly. More than 20 areas
have been electrified, including housing
settlements.
PAGE 18
Restoring
infrastructure
Upon assuming Office in 1999, the Head of State
promised Essequibians to rehabilitate the road
along the Essequibo Coast...
This has been completed at a cost of
approximately US$11M.
In 2000 President Bharrat Jagdeo sed
residents to rehabilitate Princes Street ini f ity...
The next year the street was rehabilitated.
PROMISES FULFIL
1ISES FULFILLED
PAGE 19
Improving access to
water supply
Government began a water project in New
Amsterdam in 1992, but this was stalled for several
reasons. President Bharrat Jagdeo later promised
to have it completed.
In December 2003, Prime Minister Samuel
Hinds commissioned the Water Treatment Plant.
The total cost of the plant is $880M.
In October 2000, President Bharrat Jagdeo
promised an improved water supply system for
residents at Bartica.
Today a $439M Water Treatment Plant stands
tall in Bartica, giving access to potab e water to
more than 10,000 people.
Ic ,f
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
PAGE 20
PROMISES FULFIL
Enhanced
municipalities SES FULFILLED
Government's effectivity is largely measured
by the work of the municipalities. Hence President
Bharrat Jagdeo promised to have the institutional
capacity of the Towns be strengthened to enhance
the work of the municipalities.
To date the New Amsterdam, Skeldon, Rose
Hall, Anna Regina and Rosignol markets and town
councils have all be rehabilitated, rebuilt and
strengthened through the Urban Development
Programme.
N L,
7 A~Fr
PAGE 21
Enhanced
municipalities
S'fimif
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
PAGE 22
ri
Improving the lives of
the indigenous people...
Upon assuming Office in 1999, the President
promised to expedite the process of demarcating
Amerindian lands. To date 39 communities have
been demarcated, with Regions Two, Three, Four,
Five, Six and Ten being completed. The process
continues.
Revision of the Amerindian Act is also ongoing.
PROMISES FULFIL
-;SES FULFILLED
PAGE 23
PROMISES FULFI
Keeping Promises
to Guyanese
to Guyanese SES FULFILLED
Showing Government's gratitude to its achievers
In 2001, Andrew 'Sixhead' Lewis became the
first Guyanese to win a world championship in
the boxing profession. The President promised to
reward him.
He was given $5M to construct his house, a plot
of land at the Eccles Housing Scheme and duty
free concession to import a vehicle.
Guyanese Vivian Harris became the World
Boxing Association (WBA) super-lightweight
champion on October 19, 2002.
Wayne Braithwaite, another Guyanese boxer
won the World Boxing Council (WBC)
cruiserweight on October 11 last:
At that time President Bhari deo noted
that upon their return to Guyi. vernment
would tangibly express its for their
achievements.
They were each given $5M to con
house, a plot of land in a new housi
costing $.2M and duty free concession o import a
vehicle.
PROMISES FULFIL
Delivering on promises
to the Private Sector
ISES FULFILLED
After being appointed to Office in 1999,
President Jagdeo pledged his commitment to
working with the Private Sector...
In this context, the President hosted a business
summit to foster partnership with private sector
the same year.
Out of this a Tourism Authority and a Lands
and Survey Department were established to give
incentives to foster growth
A Small Business Act was passed in Parliament
The Private Sector called for stock market
legislation. Guyana now has an operational stock
market.
It was agreed that a revenue autho ity will be
established. There is now a Gi.'a Revenue
Authority.
As agreed at the Summit, ann ent Code
was later passed in the Natiol mbl and
the Guyana Office for Investment was e ed.
N
PAGE 25
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
PROMISES FULFIL
1ISES FULFILLED
PROMISES FULFI
UISES FULFILLED
|