COMING sharply on our observations yesterday about a growing sense of confidence in the future of this country, were more expressions of optimism, and they came mainly from the private sector.
The buttressing came at the formal opening yesterday of the Ogle airport to flights from the region.
Chairman of the Ogle Airport group, Mr. Michael Correia said, “What, we believe, makes this entire development unique is the partnership between the operators of Ogle Airport, the Government of Guyana and CARICOM (Caribbean Community).”
Mr. Correia noted that the expanded Ogle airport has been long in coming, spanning the sitting of four Presidents, and some 18 years.
He said the Aircraft Owners Association gave the government a guarantee in 1999 when Guyana Airways ceased operations, that it would provide an efficient and cost effective domestic air service at competitive rates.
“We believe that we have delivered on that undertaking. We have served as an example of a professional association of extremely diverse, and competitive private businessmen working together in a highly complex and regulated industry in a common cause to serve the nation…We have kept the faith in our country. We have stayed the course. It has taken courage, fortitude, patience and persistence,” he stated.
“We would like the international community, international investors, the general public and the media to take note of the new investments being made by the domestic private sector. This is a positive sign of increased investor confidence in our future.”
This is the kind of outlook on Guyana that, sadly, has been lacking too long in some quarters and it is our hope that the testimonials sounded yesterday, and the day before at Providence, East Bank Demerara, will bring echoes across the land.
At the ceremony yesterday, President Bharrat Jagdeo hailed the five businessmen – Correia, Anthony Mekdeci, Beni Sankar, Mazahar Ally and Gerry Gouveia – for persevering in their vision, commending the private sector, as in the case of the Berbice River Bridge, for investing in public infrastructure.
President Jagdeo said the Ogle expansion was “badly lacking” and the completion of the first phase represented “hard work”.
As Mr. Correia noted, Guyana’s successful hosting of the Rio Group Summit has firmly established this country as the bridge between CARICOM and South and Latin America, and “aviation and, we believe, Ogle Airport, must, of necessity, play a critical role in our achieving that vision and developing that destiny for Guyana.”
This has all been made possible because of the abiding faith of some people in the future of the country, the determination to persevere, and the cooperation between the private sector and the government with tangible support from some donors.
The growing investor confidence in the country has come after a lot of hard work, but even more crucial is the keeping of faith in the country.
We salute those who have stayed the course, ensuring the way forward is being made a little easier.