THE  AFC has via the well known sensationalist Kaieteur News condemned the Government of Guyana for declaring that it has achieved goal one of the United Nations  Millennium Development Goals – that of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty. This condemnation of the PPP/C statement is supported also by a picture, purporting to be evidence actual living conditions of a poor person.
Now such a declaration by the government would have been made after a United Nations assessment which indicated practical findings that pointed to Guyana’s substantial progress in this category. It need not be said that this finding was independent of any such investigation on the part of the state’s administration, except that its results is a reminder to the AFC and other critics of its ilk, of the administration’s success in addressing this country’s developmental needs.
Except for the given portrait, this political newcomer has not offered any statistical evidence to support its refusal of the government’s declaration. So then, on what basis is such a non-acceptance made?
Those honest enough on the observance of this administration’s almost 20-year stewardship can point to the numerous plans and measures that have been promulgated to deal with poverty eradication in this nation since 1992. And very much to the credit of the KN- these measures are mentioned in some detail in the very account that mentions the AFC’s objection. Certainly any fair minded and just Guyanese, even in the category of the NOs, will accept the Executive’s relentless pursuit goal of poverty eradication in this country.
Because of the various programmes initiated  by the PPP/C government, such as attracting investments in the social and economic infrastructure, that are creating opportunities for everyone, gradual qualitative changes are experienced in may individual lives. There are vast improvements in health, water, and sanitation programmes; and with the establishment of poverty programmes, inroads against poverty have been made. Today, for example, there are school feeding programmes and other similar interventions aimed at lifting the poor and underprivileged from the mire of poverty.
But, since it is advised in the good Book that the poor will always be with us, which supports the contention that poverty will never be eradicated absolutely. Not even in the economically most powerful country in the world the USA, is this possible. Not when there are so many soup kitchens in existence there, and quite a number of them threatening to close, because of a gradual reduction of food supplies due to the still raging recession.
So, Guyana is very, very fortunate in many ways, to have such success, when other countries are struggling desperately.