'This is a time for healing' - President tells Berbicians By Desiree Jodah Stabroek News September 11, 1999 President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday called for national unity to move the country forward and urged Berbicians to forget recent "traumatic experiences" where race, religion and other issues were used for narrow ends and to forge a healing process. Mr Jagdeo was addressing residents from the Ancient County at the Berbice High School as part of a hectic schedule as he took his Cabinet to meet the people. Calling on Berbicians to assist his government in forging national unity, the President said the country had undergone experiences recently where the worst in the people came out. He said wounds were opened, but now was a time for healing. He contended that young people must be allowed to play their parts in the development of the country. Young people should not be relegated to roles in sports and culture as is the case whenever there is talk about them playing an important part, the President admonished. They should play a greater role in solving problems of the country. In outlining some of his policies for a better Guyana, the President said that governmental agencies must become more people-responsive. "Never forget, you are the servants of the people," said Mr Jagdeo. He acknowledged that there existed an "entrenched attitude" in some governmental agencies to not be people-responsive. He said this had developed over a period of time for some reason or another. However, he said, he was placing a lot of emphasis on "responsiveness to community." He warned that governmental agencies must be accountable. Not only must the people have trust and faith in them, but that they should be financially accountable. "My government has no place for corruption," Mr Jagdeo declared. He said the PPP/Civic has been working on this problem, but acknowledged that corruption could not be immediately eliminated. He asked the people to be the party's eyes on the ground. Mr Jagdeo also encouraged residents to view projects being done in the community as theirs and not government undertakings. As a result they should monitor these projects and ensure that everything was above board. He said he knew there were some projects that had been pending for years, but promised that during his period as President, to "speed up" the implementation. Mr Jagdeo disclosed that financing for many of these projects had been secured. Plans for housing, electricity and water will be discussed today by the relevant ministers at a press conference. He explained that government was working with the Guyana Sugar Corporation to find US$200 million to reduce the cost of production so it could remain competitive in the world market. However, he said, this would not be done at the expense of employees. Mr Jagdeo noted that more jobs would be created instead. President Jagdeo who was accompanied by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon; Foreign Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee; Minister of Local Government, Harripersaud Nokta and others, told the audience that he had taken his Cabinet to meet them, so that they could hear first-hand from the "grass-roots people" and to tell them of future plans. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples