AS the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (RCoI) progresses, it is becoming more apparent that freedom is the PPP/C’s greatest gift to the people of Guyana.This means freedom from political dictatorship; from domination by a small clique bent on racial and political oppression, social marginalization, and the widespread violation of human rights.

Under the dictatorship, it was difficult to trust someone, even relatives, because life was so unremittingly hard that for a few dollars or some basic household items or foodstuff, people were willing to sell out their friends and relatives, very much like Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

And the punishment was harsh – even the remotest suspicion of criticism of the despotic regime, or perceived disrespect shown to the dictator or his disciples, brought down the harshest of punishments on one’s head.

A case in point was what Burnham did to Mrs. Campbell, Confidential Secretary of then GUYNEC’s CEO, Capt. King.

Burnham had paid a surprise visit to the newly-nationalized, formerly Sproston’s Engineering, but renamed Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC or Guynec). As was the practice, every employee had to immediately leave whatever they were doing and stand at attention to pay obeisance to the supreme leader.

However, Mrs. Campbell had been trained in the old school of British Civil Service. Duty came first. Guynec was a shipping and engineering firm, and because of wharfage fees, demurrage charges and other killer overheads, ships needed quick turnaround, for which documentation had to be prepared. Mrs. Campbell was attempting to finish documents to enable the ship that had just off-laden its cargo to head out to sea before the tide turned, because the channel had needed dredging for years and low tide posed a danger to heavy ocean-going vessels.

Consequently, she was still working feverishly at her desk and did not genuflect to the dictator. She was fired on the spot. That was the mildest of punishments for disrespecting Burnham even in the minutest way.

Today, there is so much freedom in the land, that terrorists can openly call on their criminal-minded friends and supporters to attack police, Prime Minister and President – and consistently be ignored.

The PPP/Civic, led by Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, won the first (relatively) free and fair elections after decades, in October 1992, and put a stop to consistently rigged elections by the PNC, now re-configured as APNU. Free and fair elections in Guyana were won by the PPP being in the vanguard of that struggle.

Besides free and fair elections, there is due process of law, respect for the Constitution of the Republic, strict observance of human rights, freedom of association, freedom of expression, full freedom to travel, and unfettered freedom of worship.

Under the PPP-Civic Administration, the national economy has performed fairly well, generating positive GDP in most years. Guyana today has substantial foreign reserves, single-digit inflation, booming economic indicators, a thriving construction industry and sector, bumper rice harvests, increasing exports of agricultural produce, along with timber and mining products. A new wave of prosperity has gripped the hinterland, largely where gold mining is concerned.
Government’s sustained battle at home and overseas to rescue the sugar industry against formidable odds is being gradually won, despite the constraints and occasional hiccups. Massive gains are being made in the fishing sector, as well as the manufacturing sector. The commercial banking sector is thriving and expanding and is solvent in every way.

Apart from the looming threat of FATF blacklisting because of Opposition recalcitrance in supporting the vital money laundering bill, there is no economic crisis in Guyana under the PPP-Civic Government, and the country has largely escaped the economic downturn that is still gripping most of the world caused by recession in the USA, Western Europe and Japan. Through the instrumentality and vision of the Government, Guyana has been spared the ravages of foreign recession.

Today, the ordinary people are better housed, better clothed, better fed, better educated; are provided with better medical and health services; are better paid where wages and salaries are concerned. The transport system is rising to the challenges posed by increasing numbers of people acquiring vehicles of their own with which to commute daily. Our highways are being overhauled and expanded to 4-lane status.

In addition, sustained efforts are being made to overcome flooding caused by seasonal rainfall and the inadequacy of drainage systems, taking into consideration huge swaths of land under cultivation, animal husbandry, housing schemes and industrial estates. It is confidently expected that the Hope Canal, now under construction, will help to put an end to this flooding problem in the agriculturally strategic East Coast Demerara area.

Social harmony and tolerance in Guyana have been nurtured and encouraged in all spheres of life. All our people, especially our Amerindian brothers and sisters, are an integral part of our development agenda and share equally in the nation’s prosperity.

The rights of and opportunities for our women have been expanded and is celebrated here and abroad as a model. The protection of our children and the enhanced welfare of our elderly and other vulnerable groups are today among the proud achievements for our country.

In the international sphere, including the United Nations and other such agencies, Guyana’s reputation is considerable. Under the PPP-Civic administration, Guyana has maintained cordial relations with our next door neighbours (Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela) and further afield (USA, UK, Canada, India, Russia, China, Japan). Cordial relations and economic ties have been forged with influential Middle East and African countries, even as we deepen ties with South and Central Americas. Guyana’s work in advancing initiatives such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy has won our country and people international accolades and greater respect.

It is a known fact that several main developmental initiatives have been stymied, especially the massive hydro-electric project at Amaila Falls, which was intended to lay the foundations for major industrial take-offs in the economy and to secure Guyana’s unchallenged superiority in the Region, where industrial productivity is concerned. It was projected that, coupled with this project, should oil and gas be found, the social and economic situation for the Guyanese people would have been tremendously enhanced. Further, with the modernization of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of the Marriott Hotel, Guyana’s prospect for tourism and other long standing potential will be realised.

Guyana today has never been so advanced and well-positioned as one of the Regions’ shining examples of good governance, so much so that it was hailed by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, as “The only shining star of the Caribbean.”