PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, since its assumption to office in 1992, has made tremendous strides in its committed effort at developing all sectors and raising the standard of living of all Guyanese.

Reflecting on the progress by the administration on the occasion of its ninth anniversary in office, President Jagdeo told a news conference at the Office of the President that Guyana has moved forward despite its many problems.

"Our country has moved forward despite the many problems (and) what has happened today is that people are trying to rewrite the past," he told reporters.

According to him, there was a period in the country when there was a shortage of foodstuff and a time when people were harassed and thrown into jail for having different views.

"That period has changed and we are now one of the freest countries in the world," he said.

He pointed out that in this part of the hemisphere, Guyana has the most inclusive Constitution.

In this regard, he made mention of the Commissions on Procurement, Gender Equity, Human Rights, Indigenous People and Ethic Relations and the six Parliamentary Standing Committees, all of which were set up under the PPP/C administration.

He also pointed out that the Government is offering positions on State boards to members of the opposition political and Parliamentary parties and opportunities to participate in all the Standing Committees.

"We have made progress (but) there are still many of our young people who don't have jobs; we still have to get better quality education in spite of the money we are spending and we still need to build more infrastructure...," the Guyanese Head-of-State said.

Declining to elaborate on achievements in specific sectors, saying these are tangible and people can see them, President Jagdeo referred to progress in health, education, finance, housing and water.

Pointing out that democracy is very important for development, he said people sometimes only see/get the tangible benefits that democracy brought to the country.

"...but there is an intangible, which we don't see, that we can't touch sometimes, which it is very important (and) it's the ability of people to walk in a country and feel free and feel that their voice matters," he said.

"I think that that burden was lifted in 1992 and this country became a more open place," the President stated.

People are also more at ease with each other, are able to say things that they have pent-up and not worry about having to look over their shoulders at every instance, and can be critical of the authorities without having any fear, President Jagdeo said.

"And that is a basic thing that we sometimes miss in our analysis," he observed.

The PPP/Civic assumed office after the historic October 5, 1992 elections, hailed as the day the country regained democracy. - (MARK RAMOTAR).