In traditional style, President Irfaan Ali used his New Year’s address to the nation to review his government’s successes in 2022, describing Guyana’s economic performance over the last 12 months as stellar.
But as 2023 dawns, the Head of State has assured Guyanese that “the best is yet to come.”
In this New Year message, Dr. Ali said his government intends to step on the accelerator in propelling its people-centered and inclusive national agenda.
“Economic growth will be sustained in 2023. This will generate increased opportunities for citizens and business, spurring further development,” the President said in a statement.
With the economy projected to grow by more than 58 per cent in 2022, Dr. Ali has said that mere growth is not enough.
“In 2023, we shall roll out policies, programmes, and projects to ensure that the fruits of this growth are more equitably shared amongst our population. Our primary goal is shared prosperity, one which is characterized by reduced inequality. In this regard, no region, community, or village will be left behind in our quest to create a One Guyana,” his statement noted.
Among the government’s plans for 2023 is to proceed with major road transport works including the Linden to Mabura Road, completing the Eccles to Diamond road link; advancing plans for the four-lane highway between Crane and Schoonord, the new bridge across the Demerara River, and the Ogle to Eccles road link.
Dr. Ali said his government will also intensify the digital transformation of Guyana, including plans relating to coding, telemedicine, smart classrooms, virtual education for the hinterland; electronic health records management, and establishing a single window for business and building permits.
Work will commence on a National Hospitality Institute; and expanding shrimp production, increasing the use of shade houses in the agricultural sector, and promoting large-scale cultivation of high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower, and large-scale dairy production.
“These are only some of the massive transformative plans we have for every single region.
“The New Year will also witness intensified efforts at arresting criminal activities,” The President assured.
He said healthcare will be boosted in the New Year.
“Major upgrades will be undertaken to regional and district hospitals and improvements undertaken at health clinics and centers. Works on the construction of new hospitals at Anna Regina, Bath Settlement, De Kindren, Little Diamond, Enmore, No.75 Village; and a new pediatric and maternity hospital at Ogle will proceed this year. In addition, every regional and district hospital will soon be able to offer a suite of diagnostic services such as (CT) scans, echocardiograms, ultrasound scans, and X-rays. The demand for more medical personnel will be met through expanded training, including quadrupling the number of nurses trained each year. We want the best education with which our citizens can benefit from.”
Further investments in education are also to be expected.
“We are going to provide the resources that can provide our children with world-class education. As such, this year we will intensify teacher training to ensure that by the end of 2025, all teachers in our public education system are trained. All students will be entitled to universal secondary education. The school feeding programme will be expanded. This year we will also begin consultations on plans to ensure that every child receives a rounded education. Every student exiting school should have exposure to at least one sport, one musical instrument, one foreign language one technical and vocational skill as well as be imbued with a sense of volunteerism and social responsibility.”
Altogether, the President said his government’s plans for this year, 2023, will lay the foundation for the establishment of the post 2030 State.
“We envision a country, which at the turn of the next decade will be the energy and industrial capital of the Caribbean, a prime tourism destination, a regional food security, and transport hub, and a competitive knowledge-based, and low-carbon economy. The post 2030 Guyana will be inclusive and wedded to sustainable development,” he reasoned.
