“THE moment is fast approaching, one more day before Election Day and on that day we have a big decision to make: who will lead us to 2020 and your only choice is the PPP/C,” prime ministerial (PM) candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Elisabeth Harper said to the massive crowd of supporters that congregated at the Lusignan market tarmac. Elisabeth Harper noted that the PPP/C has always been driven by the interest of the people, as she pointed out the significant progress the PPP/C Government has achieved over the last two decades. “This is evident with a stable, growing economy,” she noted.
The PM candidate explained that the PPP/C launched their 2015 Manifesto and it consists of many benefits for the people of Guyana. “Food security is at the top of our agenda, increased production and the diversification of our other crops. We will also continue to partner with the private sector to create more investment projects and jobs creation,” she related.
She noted that under the PPP/C manifesto the Government will establish a special development fund that will encourage job and health- creation activities. Harper told her supporters that education is a priority for this Government as she alluded to the many achievements of this sector. She noted also that with a better education system, the country will have enhanced job opportunities by preparing our country for a high educational sector. She noted too that crime poses a problem and the PPP/C manifesto speaks at length on ways that will be implemented to mitigate this issue through the disciplinary services.
Empowering women is vital, Harper noted, “We will review all the laws that will encourage and promote women’s rights and equality. We must exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence.” She explained that domestic violence destroys who we are and everything we stand for and we as a community should not encourage it and “I encourage our men to participate in this fight also.”
“Single parents will be able to also further their education, training and day- care services will be provided, child support will be mandatory by the court” are some of the opportunities that will be available to single parents Harper noted.
She further explained that the PPP/C Government has over the years upheld “the rights of women, our right in all aspects of the country, our right to an education more importantly.” Harper further explained that teenage pregnancy is also a big problem and our manifesto will be to address these issues also, “if you had to leave school early, you have another chance to continue your education and provide for your family, opportunities will be available to support you.”
Harper noted that presently more attention needs to be given to job creation for our young people and in the PPP/C manifesto, “we will make sure jobs are created and more development and a number of new initiatives for job- creation opportunities will be embarked upon.
“With these new initiatives, many more people will be able to enjoy a higher standard of living in this country,” she said. “Our manifesto talks about housing for young people, a vision that is geared to creating a Guyana with a great future, with more interacting and dialogue to facilitate our decision making within this sector,” Harper expressed.
Harper spoke with confidence of the achievements that were made a reality under the PPP/C Government. “In your community you have more services in education, health and job opportunities. You are now able to build your own homes with the help of the Housing Ministry; the agricultural sector improves even further under this government.”
Speaking specifically to the young people who will be voting for the first time, she emphasised: “I want you to listen very carefully; soon you might be standing on this stage and putting forward a vision on this stage. I encourage you to work hard and help to build this blessed country.
“Voting to preserve the democracy of Guyana through the collective strength of all Guyanese is what we will do on May 11,” Harper noted
The PM candidate stressed “greater things are yet to come with the PPP/C victory, we will not lose this race. I believe in you and my party believes in you, do believe in us and let us on May 11 bring home a majority victory.”