Declaration of Sophia

Chapter 12 We Are in The Vanguard

12.1 As we meet here exactly ten years after the Party's accession to office, we must all feel that 1974, significantly, has been a good year. Faced with the economic crisis of the world arising from a rapid inflation of the prices of goods Guyana had to import, and the substantial increases we have had to pay for refined oil and other petroleum products, your Government was put to the test.

12.2 Fortunately our national thrust of feeding, clothing and housing the nation, started some years ago, came to our rescue in some respects.

12.3 Our ownership of the major bauxite undertaking nationalised in 1971 served us in good stead. The receipts from sales by Guybau boosted our foreign reserves, and the enhanced price of its products produced profits for the nation's use. Both the reserves and the profits would have gone elsewhere if Guybau were not nationally owned.

12.4 By superintending the marketing of sugar we were able to take advantage of the high prevailing international prices for that commodity and to contribute substantially to the national coffers from the levy imposed.

12.5 Our timber exports expanded and again we earned for Guyana, especially through the nationally owned Guyana Timbers Limited.

12.6 Rice in the context of a world food grain shortage contributed most significantly to the producers' and the country's economy.

12.7 Then our oil producing neighbours to whom I earlier made reference came to our assistance with loans when we needed them.

12.8 Your Party and Government introduced several restrictions and bans on un-necessaries to conserve foreign exchange. We explained to the people and received their understanding and firm support. They made the sacrifices and redoubled their efforts. At the same time, the nation's economy was carefully and competently managed. Eventually, not only were there no wholesale retrenchments, but rather there were increased employment opportunities available during the last six months to 1974.

12.9 We have even learnt that there is a sizeable surplus left on the Current Budget for this year while our foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state.

12.10 Let us not, however, indulge in trumpet blowing and vacuous boasting. It is true that we have, for reasons well known, avoided the worst consequences of the international crisis. It is true that we are not faced with famine and a depleted treasury. It is true that we have been able to hold down inflation to what is a minimum in the circumstances. But the world crisis has not passed. In some countries it is deepening. We as a country are still vulnerable and can find ourselves in the same position as in January 1974. Guyana, moreover, is still a poor, developing country plague by unemployment.

12.11 We can fritter away our surplus and hope for manna from the skies in 1975 and the years to come. Some there are who would counsel the lifting of all the restrictions and bans so that they may satisfy their foreign luxurious tastes.

12.12 Instead, however, you will have noted that whatever surpluses there are will be spent on further development for the nation to expand and strengthen its economy and provide productive employment for the people.

12.13 Sacrifices and continuing dedicated effort are still, perhaps more, necessary if we are to build our dear Guyana. We are not yet out of the woods and we are far from achieving our development objectives. Our foreign reserves must not be used for unnecessary consumption of imported items and feckless travel around the globe. They must be deployed for the purchase of developmental goods to push further our programmes.

12.14 Every section of our nation must play its part and make its sacrifices. But Party Leaders and members must make the greatest sacrifices and undertake the heaviest, nay, superhuman, workloads. We are in the vanguard. We are leaders. There is no better way of leading than by example.

12.15 As the eleventh year dawns, that is our task, that is our duty, that is our privilege.

LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CONGRESS!
LONG LIVE THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA!