Speeches in the National Assembly

HONOURING THE 21ST AUGUST, 2012 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA AND THE REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL, REGION 10
Mr. T. Williams: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise to make my contribution to this motion in the name of the Hon. Member Ms. Vanessa Kissoon which specifically deals with honouring the  21st August, 2012 agreement between the Government of Guyana and the Regional Democratic Council, Region No. 10.
I promise to be very brief. I must say the fact that we have an agreement of this nature between the Government and the Region is an indication that both parties have come to the point or place of seeing the need of moving forward, hence documenting and making public their intention to work for the development and continuity of the people of Region No. 10. I must add also for the people of Guyana as a whole.
I hoped we would have gone past the past in dealing with an issue which, from time to time, can be very contentious and vision sour disagreements across this floor. We in the Alliance For Change (AFC) of course express at all times our regret and remorse. We would like to say never again should any community in this country, whether from the Corentyne to Eteringbang, or Moruca to Lethem, never again should any confrontation between the arm of the State and our citizens result in the boiling over of tensions to the effect of loss of life and damage of property. I believe those of us who will speak to this motion must also speak very responsibly and ensure that we too lead by example in this National Assembly.
The speaker before me did indicate that Guyana has suffered as well as the people of Region No. 10. This Agreement seeks to point to specific issues identified that can bring the kind of development, change, and I guess strengthen the relationship between the people of Region No. 10 and this current Government. I might say something quite unusual and strange but I stand by what I say. I believe no community in this country, none, belongs to any political party. I believe when there is a government, it is the government of all of Guyana, hence the government has responsibility for all of Guyana. I speak from the notion that we are one people, one nation and we still have one destiny.
I am not fully aware of all the intricacies of the commissions and why they have not been set up, and today I am hearing of the number of meetings that were not attended. I am not here to point fingers but to appeal that the Government of Guyana and the people of Region No. 10 sit together and give some teeth, some life, to this Agreement which will result in the well-being of our citizens and our country. Linden is at the heart of Guyana. The last time I checked it is the Region that probably touches the most regions. It is like the centre of this country. Linden has strong people, resilient people, and an economic history that this country itself can be proud of, and like many other communities the people of Linden have gone through much; plenty.
We in this National Assembly have a responsibility. By mentioning Region No. 10 proper, because of the motion, I am by no means ignoring the difficulties, the struggles and sufferings, endured by any other community in this dear land of ours. However, like this motion says, I would like to call on both parties to get the ball rolling, to get their act together, and that Region No. 10 be not left behind.
It is not right for after almost one year after all this money was spent and all the mines brought together, that we must come back today at the expense of the tax payers and appeal to something which was agreed on when heads and hearts came together for the development of this country. I think if this situation continues, and we continue to fight and ramble over this matter, it is all but a mockery. It is time we demonstrate the political will to put the past behind us in this country, and work and move forward where there will be healing.
This Agreement speaks, as I said earlier, to pointed issues, but I am also concerned about reconciliation in this country. We know we are where we are today because of things we have done as leaders and as political parties. Every leader, every politician in Guyana, should be able to visit every community and serve the people there. I say again that like the rest of Guyana Region 10, the people of Linden, are the people of Guyana, they belong to us. We have gone through enough tragedies, we carry enough remorse; enough is enough. We should go past the past and work together for the development and unity of this country.
Thank you. [Applause]