'Forget the rumours: bring evidence of corruption' -- President Jagdeo tells rally by Sharon Lall Guyana Chronicle March 28, 2000 PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is urging the nation to forget about rumours being spread and to bring evidence of corruption to the fore. "If any person can bring evidence of corruption, then we will deal with that situation. Forget the rumours because it's an election ploy," he told several hundreds of persons who braved heavy showers on Sunday afternoon to attend the Cheddi Jagan tribute rally at Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara. Former President and widow of Dr Cheddi Jagan, Mrs Janet Jagan was forced to end her speech prematurely, amid sudden heavy showers. Other speakers were Prime Minister Sam Hinds, People's Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Mr Donald Ramotar, and PPP Executive Member, Dr Moti Lall. President Jagdeo, in his address, promised that any Government he leads will continue all the policies of the late Guyanese leader Dr Cheddi Jagan. He said the recent Integrity Bill which has been enforced, ensures that chief executives of Government agencies declare annually their assets and income to an Integrity Commission, headed by Bishop George. "So if their assets exceed their income, unreasonably, we can assess that," President Jagdeo said. He added that the Government has expanded the mandate of the Auditor General, but rumours about corruption are still being spread. The President remarked, however: "I have an abiding faith in our people." He said since his administration assumed office in 1992, some $1.891 billion has been allocated to Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands). For this year, in the housing sector alone, more than $800M has been earmarked. There is an additional US$30M facility which will seek to have 20,000 more house lots for distribution by year end. President Jagdeo said the debt burden has been reduced from US$2.1 billion to below US$1.4 billion, which means that funds can be spent on developing the nation. According to him, infant mortality rates have dropped. A recent survey showed that people are now living longer. The Guyanese Head of State said that apart from the regular budget, the Government last year set aside $200M to be used for sending local children abroad for medical treatment. He added, too, that some $7 billion is being spent on education on a yearly basis. The percentage of children with access to secondary education has moved from 35 to 58 per cent. Projects worth US$30M are being undertaken to allow for universal secondary education for all schoolchildren over the next four years, the President reported. He said Guyana's economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In spite of the problems experienced last year, this country managed to secure a 3 per cent growth rate unlike Latin America which recorded negative growth. President Jagdeo also had high hopes for investors coming to Guyana. He said a United States firm is building a new paper plant here and, yet another company has recently expressed interest in Guyana's fisheries sector. In addition, the owner of one of the largest hotel chains in Jamaica has promised to set up a hotel in Guyana. President Jagdeo said he will continue with Dr Cheddi Jagan's legacy and maintain a Government devoted to the "working class".