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REPUBLIC DAY MESSAGE 2005 TO THE NATION BY
HIS EXCELLENCY MR. BHARRAT JAGDEO, PRESIDENT OF GUYANA
This Republic Day is one with a difference. It will not be observed with the usual merriment that has traditionally characterized our Mashramani celebrations. In light of the recent floods, the worst in our country’s history, and out of respect for those who have suffered losses, many of the traditional Mashramani Day activities have either been cancelled or deferred. In whatever manner we choose to celebrate this day, we must not forget those who are still enduring hardships because of the floods.
While the floods forced us to reduce the calendar of Mashramani events, they did not drown out the fortitude and strength of our people. In the days ahead let us move forward as a united people in the recovery and reconstruction efforts.
It is in times of adversity, such as we recently experienced, that the true character of a nation is revealed. The floods caused much suffering and losses but they also brought out the best in our people. We should all be proud of the way we responded to the disaster. I was deeply touched by the courage, kindness and selflessness of our people during this disaster. It heightened my pride in being President of this wonderful country.
The relief effort was not solely a government affair although we did commit all of the resources of the State towards easing the situation. It involved a truly national effort with thousands of ordinary citizens playing a heroic role. I saw rich and poor, young and old, people of all races and religions supporting each other. I witnessed families providing food and shelter to complete strangers. I was pleased to see young men arduously paddling boats to transport citizens and supplies in and out of flooded villages. I saw workers labor around the clock to keep the drainage pumps and sluices operational. I saw men and women cooking on roadways for entire communities. And I noted the generosity of the many businesses that donated and distributed food rations and other supplies to thousands of affected households. This outpouring of benevolence was unprecedented in our country’s history.
That is why, I found it deeply troubling that while many persons were suffering, others were seeking to undermine the assistance being provided from overseas by making wild and unsubstantiated accusations. Fortunately, these misguided souls were few and unable to divert the energies of the thousands who gave and are still giving of their best. I hope that there will be no further attempts at politicizing the relief and rehabilitation efforts, and that those sowing confusion and misrepresenting the situation at home would cease their unpatriotic actions.
I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank all who were part of this historic relief effort: my ministers and other government officials, the disciplined services, the religious community, the private sector, non- governmental organizations, members of political parties and the countless volunteers who gave of their services selflessly. I also wish to thank the international community for its assistance, and I am deeply grateful for the impassioned appeal for support, made by the former President of the United States of America, Mr. Jimmy Carter.
The Guyanese Diaspora also assisted us immeasurably during the disaster. I would also like to express my appreciation for the tremendous efforts of health professionals and volunteers who from the early days of the flood, fanned out into the affected communities to take care of the health needs of our people.
Let us remember those who succumbed during these floods. I am deeply pained by the loss of lives and I sympathize with those who are still grieving for loved ones who died during this disaster. I trust that in the days ahead all those who suffered the loss of loved ones will find comfort and support from family, friends and their communities.
In the months ahead, we all need to be disciplined and responsible as we seek to rebuild lives and infrastructure. The floods have been costly to the nation. Households, shops, stores and factories were affected, rice, sugar and other farmlands were destroyed and livestock lost. But Guyana has repeatedly shown that our economy and people are resilient. We have the capacity and will to overcome.
Even as we conduct assessments about the flood damage and losses, we are not allowing this to delay relief and recovery interventions. To accelerate the process of rehabilitation and recovery, I am working with the private sector, creditors and the international community to provide a package of assistance that will bring relief to households, crops and livestock farmers and affected businesses. I intend to unveil this assistance package shortly.
Although we do not expect a recurrence of the record levels of rainfall experienced in January, we must increase our preparedness for future rainy seasons. We will in the post flood period undertake a comprehensive review of the drainage and irrigation systems within our country as well as taking steps to deal with the safe disposal of refuse throughout the coast. I urge all Guyanese to avoid the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish in our canals and communities.
This is no time to despair. While we do everything possible to deal with the aftermath of the floods and restore normalcy, we must continue the process of development within the country. As a matter of fact, the best and fastest way to deal with the present situation is to work hard to make our economy stronger. This is why we took the decision to go ahead with the presentation of the 2005 Budget in its current form. This will be followed by a supplemental Budget as soon as the assessments of the flood damage are completed.
This year’s Budget will aid in the reconstruction process by allowing Guyana to maintain a steady and consistent programme of development within all of the ten administrative regions of the country. As outlined in the Budget, we will continue to focus strongly on the social sector: education, health, housing, water, sanitation, and poverty reduction as well as physical infrastructure, security and good governance. These are all intended to achieve the goal of providing a better life for all of our citizens.
This year there will be significant investment in both traditional and non-traditional sectors of the economy. Several projects in the rice, bauxite, sugar, tourism and sports sectors, amounting to US$270 M will commence. These will be complimented by our regular capital programme. These investments are aimed at improving our competitiveness in the world market, creating more jobs and earning more foreign currency to meet our needs.
We must continue to deal with the external challenges we face both as a country and as part of Caricom. Our efforts are being recognized, as evident by our growing international profile. Guyana is presently the spokesperson for the region in trade negotiations with the World Trade Organization; and at the recently held Intersessional Meeting in Suriname we were selected to speak on behalf of the region on the critical issue of sugar.
As regards Caricom, it was indeed a proud moment for all Guyanese when the permanent headquarters was declared open last week. This fulfilled a promise made thirty years ago.
As we mark Republic Day we need to consolidate our traditional ties, explore new prospects and enter into new partnerships. We stand right at the doorsteps of some important countries that hitherto were seen as far away. That is rapidly changing. The visits of high-level officials from several countries speak to deepening political, economic and trade ties with more countries and regional groupings. And the recent visits by the Presidents of Brazil and Chile point to our potential for becoming Caricom’s gateway to the South.
Republic Day reminds us of the long history of our people to free themselves from servitude and bondage. Our national character was moulded out of this history of struggle and sacrifice. Ours is a national ethos of perseverance and courage in overcoming the most insurmountable of obstacles. On this important Republic Day, I urge all Guyanese to recall with pride the struggles of our ancestors and the efforts they undertook to make their communities viable and productive.
Let us draw strength from them, as we face tomorrow with hope. May their sacrifices inspire us to further progress in the days and months ahead.
Happy Republic Day
Office of the President
February 23, 2005
