The blueprint of our future

Feb 27, 2009 Features / Columnists

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Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA
Chairman, Vision Guyana

OVERVIEW:
I was invited by Mark Benschop to speak to about thirty students to whom his foundation was providing computer training. It is very commendable that we have organisations such as this foundation that provides such a service free of charge.
The students were of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. During the questions and answer period, most of the issues raised were: where is the job market, why there are so limited jobs and why was tax money wasted on programmes that don’t benefit them. Some were single women who struggle to get a better education and find jobs. The budget in 2009 cut many programs that will help them provide for their families.

Our recent 2009 budget fiasco was an exercise by the PPP government of forcing the opposition to get up and talk but at the end of the day, nothing will be changed. President Obama in his Tuesday night speech to the American people sought to inspire them to view the current financial crisis as an opportunity to better their country. He said in his address that the United States will emerge with new industries, a better educated citizenry and an economy geared for growth. “Now is the time to jumpstart job creation, re-start lending, and invest in areas like energy, health care, and education that will grow our economy, even as we make hard choices to bring our deficit down”
At no time did we hear the PPP budget proposing new industries, creation of jobs much less and economy geared for growth. The President and the PPP have lost touch with the people of Guyana and the President is more out of the country than in. Where is our inspiration, what is our Guyanese Dream?

THE BASIC PREMISE:
Before any budget starts, the vision, the dream must be defined. Our dream is for a united and prosperous Guyana. It is very simple. It is for Guyanese everywhere to come together to prepare our beautiful land for a better tomorrow for our children. The contract with the people of Guyana must include these basic premises (Described in a shortened version and available on www.visionguyana.com)
? Protecting citizens by providing safe communities: Increase Police Force intake and institute tougher penalties for theft, drugs and other pervasive crimes. Increase their wage earnings to be more in line with cost of living. Enhance neighbourhood watch groups and awareness programs in all aspects of society. Enforce a zero tolerance approach to corruption for all public officials.

Reviving the economy through job creation: Create approximately 100,000 jobs over a 5-year period at the village level. Move the economy beyond the narrow confines of primary industries such as sugar, rice, and minerals. Develop new markets in electronic commerce (e-commerce) and production of raw materials. Implement full use of advanced technologies in all aspects of economic activity. Create incentives for business, land for youth programs and reduce taxes for every citizen. Solve energy now and start the re-location of the coastal residents.

Modernization with balanced development: Enhance development of power and light and sustainable environmental practices. Establish a new public housing program. Complete the road or rail to Brazil and establish a deepwater harbour. This should be one of our highest priorities that will ensure job creation. Make transportation easily accessible for farmers and manufacturers to transport their produce and goods. Establish a transport rail system between major cities and ports. Radically improve technological infrastructure. Significantly expand wireless capabilities throughout Guyana. Measure implementation and enforce strict accountability for projects. Solve energy now.

Fostering a healthy culture, quality education and modern healthcare: Build healthier communities through disease management and awareness programs. Fix the environment around the communities (Poor drainage, lack of running water, etc., make us sick) Foster moral and value-driven education. Make training, pay, support and retention of teachers a priority.
Double funding for schools and provide computer facilities to bring them into the modern era – not painting every year and wasting our tax money. Address the dropout crisis and implement a plan, which will ensure that no child falls through the cracks of the education system. Work to eliminate illiteracy and functional illiteracy. Establish independent institutions of higher learning.
Providing strong and bold leadership: Present a different kind of leadership – Hopeful, Optimistic, Positive and Qualified – that will set a different tone. This leadership must immediately appoint a special independent prosecutor to investigate cases of corruption; enforce strict accountability measures to prevent fraud and corruption and institute the toughest of penalties for offenders. This leadership will also be transparent, embrace innovation, operate on the basis of cost effectiveness and always be in touch with all segments of the population. They must serve the citizens, not direct or dictate.

CONCLUSION:
As I said at the start of this column, we do need our own vision, our own Guyanese Dream. It is simple; we want the most basic of things such as a job, a house for our family, adequate transportation and proper education for our children. We are not asking for much. The government has two more years of their term. It is our hope they start to work at making our lives better and creating our own “vision for Guyana … a blueprint for our future that will be resourced, executed and measured.” Until next time “Roop”.

Send comments to [email protected] and read the Guyana Blueprint on www.visionguyana.com

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