THE vision of the Jagans has resulted near the end of their era, two very important and significant appointments by the PPP/C administration and in support of the late mother of the nation Mrs. Janet Jagan in particular.

Mr. Donald Ramoutar, was hailed as a tried and tested comrade when he assumed office as General-Secretary of the PPP/C following the death of the late great father of the nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan. His leadership qualities as a thinker, eloquent speaker, honesty and unquestionable dedication, make him a real leader acceptable by all. He is a tried and tested comrade indeed.

The other is no other than Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana. The astonishing revelation in the first instances that Mr. Jagdeo will be the president with the dream team and his subsequent winning of two successive terms in office is indeed proof of the vision and foresight of the PPP/C. Indeed, after Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Mr. Jagdeo may be recorded as the most popular, loved and respected politician in this country. His open and frank discourse with his people, his openness and style in getting things done have evidently helped to breakdown the bureaucracy that is evident when the public service moved at a snail’s pace. His no nonsense approach which sometimes call for common sense in solving simple matters is testimony of his greatness, which, I dare say is admired by all.

If anyone would want to look at his achievements as president, one would have to conclude that his popularity and admiration by his people is unquestionable. He is serving us well.

The thought of and decision to send the maritime dispute with Suriname to the United Nations tribunal and the selection of the team headed by Sir Shridath Ramphal and others to successfully argue our case, is testimony of  good governance. The benefits derived from the ruling will be realised and inherited for generations to come. He had the political will and foresight to ensure that his people are not shorthanded and our borders are secured.

But it was a viewpoint for the BBC “Why the West should put money in trees”, in the Green House room President Jagdeo sets out his views on how to reduce 15% of Greenhouse gas emissions caused by tropical deforestation”.

His case was convincing; arguing that “protecting rainforests is not only an environmental concern but an economic issue that cuts to the core of a nation’s development”

Time  magazine’s TIM PAGETT did a write-up on his cause – “Guyana’s President takes a novel approach to defending his nation’s pristine rain forest” – when our president was acclaimed one of TIME’S HEROES OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN 2008.

In the article of September 17, 2008, in putting forward Mr. Jagdeo’s case, Mr. Pagett wrote “The idea is that public and private organisations would pay Guyana for the right to manage — and profit from — unscathed rain forests. They can sell the carbon credits on global markets, make money from ecotourism and pharmaceutical discoveries, and eventually create markets for “ecosystem services” such as rainfall generation and climate regulation’. He further wrote “Jagdeo found his first taker this year when Canopy Capital, a London-based eco-finance firm, signed a deal to maintain Iwokrama, a 1,430-sq.-mi. (370,000-ha) rain-forest preserve. Studies suggest that such ventures could bring Guyana, one of South America’s poorest countries, almost $60 million a year, or 6% of its gross domestic product”.

One only has to visit the BBC blog on the internet and see the numerous praises heaped on the president the world over of this initiative. Mr. Jagdeo is now a leading advocate in Climate Change, also at the recent summit of the Americas the fact that our president was identified and selected to lead the discussions with President Obama has indicated the level and esteem in which his counterparts hold him.

The above is just a sampling of the numerous accomplishments of our President.

We will forever be grateful for the visionary of the PPP/C in these two gentlemen. Thank you sirs.
ASHFORD. A