This week the man/woman-in-the-street reflect on the past year. Their views follow.

Ferida Sattaur - teacher: `The year 2001 has been both good and bad but it sets the stage for the economy stabilising this year. Though the year began badly the cost of living at the end of the year was not as bad. Prices for a number of items this year end was better than in previous years. On the political scene it was terrible to start with and I wondered when it would end. The dialogue between President Jagdeo and Mr (Desmond) Hoyte which should have started ever since to avoid the loss of jobs and property which followed in the aftermath of the elections is proving to be the stabilising factor. September 11 has had some impact. Not only on America but in the wider world as well. It tells us though that we ought to get down to the business of our own development and granting of incentives to teachers and other government workers even if the salaries cannot be paid.'

Valentine Stoll - sculptor: `2001 brought to the fore more corrupt politicians in my eyes and this has many countries including Guyana in the corrupt state it is currently in. The year 2001 started with elections which did not go down well with a large section of the electorate and it has ended with dissatisfaction by a large section of the Trinidad populace following theirs as well. Allegations of corruption have caused political upheavals at home and abroad even resulting in the calamitous September 11 atrocities in the US and the war in Afghanistan. It's corrupt politics not only in 2001 but previously that has India and Pakistan on the brink of war. All are not good signs for 2002. It is now left for the politicians to be honest with themselves and the electorate for things to come good. Additionally, the year has seen an increase in the use of narcotic drugs and drug trafficking.'

Eric Harrison Sears - London-based Guyanese: `The atrocities on America have been the most outstanding (event) for the year 2001 for me. I believe if I have a fight with a man I would deal with him directly and if they had a grievance with America it should have been with the Pentagon but not the World Trade Centre. It was obvious that the terrorists didn't as they knew that hitting the WTC was hitting the peoples of the world and their families. It makes no sense. The terrorists could not be fighting for no religion, no flag, no cause in killing innocent people.'

Rambeer Ramlall - pensioner: `2001 has been very, very good for me. I am enjoying my old age pension, National Insurance Scheme pension and estate pension. I worked hard in my time and now it is paying off. I am also in good health so I thank God for that. Not only in the year 2001 but since 1992 I get greens, fresh fruit and fresh fish right in front of my house. Schooling too is very good. My granddaughter this year was one of the ten top students in the country at the Caribbean Examinations Council exams and it was one of the high points for the year for me. In my time obtaining an education was tough. So I have at least two things to thank Burnham for now, that is free education and the NIS.'

Paulos Chandra - pensioner: `This year has not been good for me. I lost two of my good friends - Mr Chin from Mahaica who got a blow to his head and Mr Chung from the Pawnbrokery right here in Lacytown. I was fortunate to enjoy my children and grandchildren who came visiting for Christmas. This Christmas gone has been one of the best in the last three years. The Saturday before Christmas the downtown streets were jammed pack taking on the look of carnival. I saw many things being sold cheaply. This kind of lifted my spirits because I think that this year will be better now that Mr Hoyte and Mr Jagdeo are in discussions.'

Valan Shepherd - retired officer of the British army: `I remigrated to Guyana this year and the sanitary conditions of the city's basic infrastructure such as drainage and littering has had an impact on me. I know at least four persons who would like to remigrate but the sanitation is what is bothering them. This is our capital and our children will inherit it. We have to do something about it this coming year. On the international scene September 11 has had an impact on the whole world. Travel would never be the same again. People will travel with fear.'

Sharon Mathure: `The year was both good and bad. The aftermath of the elections this year was a frightful experience but I think some good will come out of it. I am happy that Mr Hoyte and President Jagdeo are in discussions. Hadn't they begun the dialogue this Christmas might not have been as good as it was. This Christmas was one of the nicest for me. September 11 and the war in Afghanistan should make us resolve to build our own country and to stop having others meddling in our affairs trying to divide us more. This year I would like to see more job opportunities provided for all able bodied persons.'

Mala Mohanlall: `I think the general elections this year has caused me to learn a lot about other ethnic groups here in Guyana and the need for all Guyanese regardless of colour, religious persuasion and other differences to come together to develop and share in the wealth of the country. Although things are not as easy as they appear to be at present and the two major parties have better relations among themselves I think young people like myself are now more conscious of the need to be more Guyanese than anything else. The year to me has been stressful. Already jobs were scarce and the burning down of property in the city has left us poorer and many without jobs. Because of the new understanding which will come about as a result of what has happened in 2001 I think this year will be better for the economy and for the people. September 11 has changed the world and people will be afraid to travel.'

Luke Roberts - miner: `I am glad that the year 2001 is at an end. It has been difficult on all fronts but mainly on the political front which has affected the economy in a bad way. I would expect that with a level of political maturity among our leaders we could see some change for the positive this year. I am going to be optimistic. Having hit rock bottom I think we can only go forward now.'

Aubrey Gill: `On a personal note, the year 2001 has been successful. I have laid the groundwork for my work so I could expect a better year. After all the disturbances earlier in the year I can see the local economy stabilising. I think we are going to get some foreign investments this year as well. At the international level there has been so much tragedy in the US, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel and now India and Pakistan.'