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Building One Nation and Eliminating Poverty

Dec 20, 2015 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

Despite having an abundance of natural resources, Guyana remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Forests cover more than 80 percent of the country’s land, we are well endowed with fertile agricultural lands, and our wealth of minerals is virtually unparalleled. Yet, Guyana is the third poorest country in the western hemisphere with a per capita GDP of only US$3763 according to the World Bank.
Over 40 percent of Guyanese live in poverty, with about 18 percent classified as extremely poor with an expenditure level that is below what is required to buy a minimum, daily, low-cost diet. The administration realizes that behind those dire statistics are real people with hopes, dreams and ambitions crushed by the daily struggle to put food on the table.
Your government is aware of the inequity and inequality that characterizes life in Guyana. The majority of Guyana’s poor citizens live in rural or hinterland communities. 70 percent of Indigenous Guyanese are poor. Inequitable expenditure and thoughtless policies by the previous administration have resulted in a lack of good jobs, underemployment and an under skilled population due to neglect of educational facilities.
The administration is committed to creating one nation, with equal opportunities and a better life for all Guyanese, regardless of where they live. Your government seeks firstly, to eliminate poverty. A country with such abundant natural wealth and with a population of less than 800,000 persons should not have poor people. We will wage war against poverty through an inclusionary process, taking all segments of the population into consideration. No child should have to go to school without shoes. No senior citizen should have to go to bed hungry.
The administration’s poverty reduction plan will adopt a ‘One Nation’ approach to reduce inequality and provide opportunities for all Guyanese. Our focus will be on giving citizens the tools to raise their standard of living in a sustainable manner. Handouts will not eliminate the problem. Trickledown economics is not the answer. Instead, sensible actions within a strategic framework of focused economic and social policies will be implemented. Your government knows that too many Guyanese have suffered for far too long.
The newly created Ministry of Business will work with the rest of the administration to establish economic independence for our young people by promoting micro-enterprise development. Training of hinterland residents in farming techniques will ensure food security and provide business opportunities. This will be accomplished through the agricultural institutes which will be established in each hinterland region.
Education is the key to lifting citizens out of the clutches of poverty. No longer will hinterland residents be forced to take only menial low-paying jobs due to lack of skills. Well-equipped and properly staffed technical institutes, too, will be built. Our ‘One Nation’ approach will level the playing field and give all Guyanese a chance to prosper.
The administration will prioritise investment with a view to using the country’s monetary resources more efficiently. This will ensure that citizens get value for their tax dollars. Better co-ordination among governmental and non-governmental agencies will result in an improved quality of delivery of services. Regions will be allowed to leverage their human and natural resources to create new, high-quality jobs.
Entrepreneurship will be supported as a matter of policy. Use of innovative technology will be encouraged. Tax incentives for job creation will be implemented. These and other measures will result in better trained and educated people who can take advantage of the new job opportunities that a progressive administration will foster.
The primary duty of your government is to make certain that Guyanese are safe and happy. Poor people are not happy people. The administration will therefore work to create the conditions necessary to elevate the standard of living of all Guyanese. After all, that is what a caring government does.

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