`I will seek consensus on national issues' --President Jagdeo Guyana Chronicle August 23, 1999 THE following is the text of the Address to the Nation by His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo President of Guyana Sunday, August 20, 1999 FELLOW Guyanese! Yesterday, while visiting the Essequibo Coast, I was invited to stop over briefly at a place of religious worship in Cullen. After explaining some of the policies that I intend to pursue, I invited members of the audience to share their immediate concerns with me. An elderly woman told me that she had a few more years, and for her the most important thing at the moment is to take care of the many young ones in the community who have a full life ahead of them. As I looked around, I saw many young people and I could see in their youthful faces expressions of hope and expectation. It struck me that simply put, she was saying that the objective of any government should be the fulfillment of the dreams, aspiration, hopes and needs of people, especially young people. This is a simple truth that often evades policy-makers. It is this task, above all, that will motivate my administration. Fellow citizens! Today I address you as part of an undertaking I gave just over a week ago when I became the President of Guyana to engage you in a continuing dialogue. My aim is for us to arrive at a healthy understanding of your views on what should be government's policies. In this process, your involvement is crucial and, as far as possible, I will seek to achieve consensus on important national issues. Since taking office, I spoke to my Cabinet colleagues on some new approaches in the conduct of our work, especially the need to reach out to the people in their communities in order to achieve greater public trust and accountability. As a start, we will from time to time, hold Cabinet meetings in different parts of the country which will be followed by many meet-the-people activities. I am hopeful that this new approach will invigorate the national mood and bring the government closer to the people. A hallmark of my government is inclusivity. As you know, I have invited Mr. Desmond Hoyte, leader of the People's National Congress (PNC), to a meeting. During the past week I have held discussions with Dr. Rupert Roopnarine of the Working People's Alliance and Mr. Mansoor Nadir of the United Force. We discussed ways of enhancing the relationship between government and opposition and deepening Parliamentary norms and practices. I intend to pursue an open government where policies and programmes will address issues. There will be no room for prejudices based on ethnicity or gender. From my public interaction I know that there exists in some sections feelings of insecurity. I will deal with these through mechanisms that I intend to outline shortly. I want to return to the topic of young people. It is my belief that we need to work toward a comprehensive youth development programme. In the coming weeks I hope to meet representative organisations of young people to discuss these issues. But more than this we need to adopt new approaches and new attitudes towards young people. Often they are seen as objects to be taught the realities of life. They are not seen as individuals with their own view of life, with their own and unique aspirations. They are often not seen as equals. I know this from my own experience. I intend to utilise fully the creativity and talents of young Guyanese. I intend to give them an opportunity to determine their own priorities. I will give them a chance to shape the world in which they have to live, work and play. I am making an open invitation to the youth arms of the major political parties - the PYO and the YSM to work along with other youth organisations to form a National Volunteer Corps. If we work together as young people we cannot have enemy images of each other. Everywhere I go there is one recurrent topic: jobs for our people. In different parts of the country, many students are graduating and there are limited prospects for higher education and jobs. This will be another priority of my administration. Investment is key for job creation. Within a month I will organise a special retreat with the business community to consult with them on some of my proposals to address this issue. I will also consult with the labour movement on this subject. As a corollary to these policies, we will put in place strong foreign policy initiatives to bring trade and economic benefits to our country. The on-going infrastructural works will be intensified and others put on stream. Already we have identified some priority areas. These include the road to Brazil, the bridge across the Berbice river, the East Canje Reservoir Scheme, MMA Phase 11, new wharf facilities, a deep water harbour and the opening up new lands in different parts of the country. I will explore the possibility of private sector financing of these projects. More immediately, the construction of farm-to-market roads, public roads, drainage and irrigation canals, schools, health facilities, and water systems will be intensified. The creation of more housing schemes is a priority since many of our people want to settle down and plan a successful career right here in Guyana. Too many of them have already left and those who want to remain must be given the necessary assistance. There is need for more rational and efficient collection of revenues and the use of government funds. We have to adopt new and modern methods of management. There is need for modernisation in practically every field of endeavour. Red tape and administrative slothfulness must be removed. Interactions between the government and the population must be businesslike, friendly and caring. Tax payers must be treated with respect. We must remember that we are here to serve them. Education is a catalyst for change. It will be the single most important factor influencing development in the 21st century. We need to explore revolutionary ways of improving its delivery. We also need to resolve our telecommunication problems in a short space of time given the importance of information technology to development. Research and development are vital instruments to achieve greater levels of efficiency. The introduction of science and technology ought not to be done in a piecemeal fashion. The ability to use science and technology must be total - it must pervade the entire society. Much emphasis will be given to this from now on. In this connection, based on discussion with my Science and Technology Adviser, Mr. Navin Chandarpal, I have decided to establish a Presidential Commission on Science and Technology. I have discussed this issue with well-known Guyanese expert in this field, Dr. Neville Trotz and he has kindly indicated his willingness to serve on the Commission. I have also spoken to Professor Bishnoodatt Persaud and others to work with me to bring together Guyanese scientists and academics to serve as a `think-tank' to articulate national development strategies. Of more immediate concerns: The episodes of violent and senseless criminal activities remain a high concern of our administration. As Head of State, I intend to send a clear message that crime does not pay: criminals will face the full force and effect of the law. A continuing problem we face as a nation is inclement weather. Last year we experienced severe drought and this year we have had high rainfall. This phenomena is creating economic hardships and disrupts the daily lives of our people. Several days ago I visited communities on the East Coast, Demerara that have experienced heavy flooding. Many other areas are similarly affected. I have instructed that immediate work be done to alleviate the hardships of the people in affected areas and for preventative measures to be taken in areas likely to be affected. As your President and humble servant I have already started to visit various communities. There is a lot of work to be done. The PPP/Civic government has a vision of the future which will benefit our people and nation. But we cannot do it alone. We have to do it together. Fellow Guyanese, I want to assure you that we have embarked on a journey of great promise. We cannot waste opportunities for forging togetherness. On my part, I intend to ensure that there would be progressive development of our country. From Charity to Rupununi, Albouystown to Port Mourant, to every place in Guyana, there would be fair and equal benefits. This is the faith I intend to keep with you. Long Live Guyana! A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples