Delivering remarks to residents of Anna Catherina today during a Cabinet Outreach to Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Singh thanked the residents on behalf of President Irfaan Ali for their support over the years while also highlighting that Region Three is on a fast track to transformation.
“Region Three is one of the most exciting regions to be in in Guyana right now. You have seen how dramatically the region is being transformed. You have seen since President Ali assumed office what a different place Region Three has become in just the space of five years. You have seen the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge, brand-new highways that have opened up new land and completely changed the face of the region, major investments that are taking place including private sector investment,” Minister Singh underscored as he alluded as well to the building of a new port at Vreed-en-Hoop and other new ports along the West Bank Demerara, including at Versailles.
Dr. Singh also pointed to the Gas to Energy project and how it is transforming Wales and the West Bank of Demerara.
“The new investments that we have announced in relation to the build out of a brand-new port at Parika, and of course the opening up of the Parika/Goshen Road which will open up tremendous amounts of land and vast commercial possibilities as well as the transformation of major population centres,” he added.
Minister Singh noted that residents have already seen how in just five years under the People’s Progresssive Party/Civic government Leonora has changed from being just a small village to being almost like a city with new shopping malls, new hospitals and a new bank among other developments.
“I want to say to you that if you believe that what you’ve seen over the last five years has been a dramatic changing of the face West Demerara, you have not seen anything yet because the next five years will be an even more incredible period of transformation for your region,” he posited.
Urging residents of Region Three, especially young people, to ensure that they become involved and take up the opportunities being provided in the region, the Minister explained that the transformation taking place is not just physical but numerous opportunities are also being created as part of the region’s vast development.
“I am glad that our chairperson is a young person and we have so many young people from Region Three in our audience today. We want- President Ali’s vision for Guyana and for Region Three to be implemented here. It is a vision where every single young person has an opportunity to get good quality skills and good quality training to be able to get good quality jobs or to become an entrepreneur and set up a good quality business that will generate good solid income,” he stated firmly.
Dr. Singh noted that young persons in the region must be able to use their skills and participate meaningfully in the exciting transformation that is taking place across the region and the country as a whole.
“We want you to be able to transform your own lives and we want every single person to participate in what is taking place-to get better jobs, earn better incomes and live better lives and that is an important part of the transformation that we are working towards,” he concluded as residents welcomed the visit by the officials to the region to listen to their concerns.
Dr. Singh further assured residents on behalf of government that the government was there in the region to be of service to them and also wished to discuss with them the issues affecting them in that region and what government should do differently if there was this need.
“Because what we do is guided by what you tell us- that is our approach to governance and that is why we have continued to be able to continue to be in government because we are a listening government,” Minister Singh pointed out.
As part of its 2025 manifesto, government will roll out a number of initiatives over the next five years to further transform Region Three in addition to the transformation that has already taken place between 2020-2025.
Already, dual gas turbines weighing 90 tons have arrived in the country and were taken to the Wales construction site for a 300-megawatt natural gas power plant as part of government’s major Gas-to-Energy project. The project is slated to be completed in 2026 and will reduce electricity costs by fifty percent for consumers on the grid. It should also allow for the production of enough cooking gas to meet and exceed domestic requirements in the country. Other manifesto plans include expanding drainage and irrigation systems and networks in the region (Hope-like Canals) to bolster the sector’s climate resilience and bring additional acreage under rice cultivation, establishing a port facility at Parika and bridging Leguan and Wakenaam among other initiatives.
Also accompanying the senior minister during the meeting at Anna Catherina today were Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon and Parliamentary Secretary Mishka Whyte Griffith.
