[www.inewsguyana.com] – Presidential Advisor on Community Development, Odinga Lumumba is of the view the argument that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project is not really needed in Guyana is an untenable one as no society can move towards modernisation unless certain things are in place.
During the programme “Political Scope” aired on Monday on the National Communications Network Inc, Lumumba noted that proper roads and health care are among these elements for modernisation. He added that if Guyana were to be a hub in tourism, the airport would have to be expanded.
Lumumba observed that Guyana is moving towards the development of the airport, because of the necessity.
The distributing of state resources across the country is another issue that came up and Lumumba expounded on it. He stated that “… it is not electioneering that is being done when notions of empowerment come up here in Guyana,” as “… many others have spoken about empowerment, but only in the philosophical approach … and in Guyana the thoughts and ideas are implemented.”
He further elaborated that, “In Guyana, a committee looked at various aspects of empowerment. However, at first there was nothing to distribute at any level, in any sector (as), everything was disabled and out of ‘whack’, so it had to begin from scratch.” The special advisor highlighted that “… three things had to be looked at: water, housing and roads. With X amount of state resources, whatever was distributed was done fairly.” [Extracted and modified from GINA]
