TUF manifesto acknowledges PPP/C action on its recommendations
THE United Force (TUF) released its manifesto for the 2011 elections, at Unity House, in Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, yesterday.
Titled ‘Agenda for Development’, except for a few minor changes, it is not much different from the 2006 ‘Highway to Happiness’. TUF Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Persaud said the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took on board some of the recommendations made in his party’s 2006 proposals and saw them through to realisation.
TUF Executive Member, Ms. June Ann Brassington also acknowledged that minor changes were made to the 2006 blueprint and attributed them to Minister Manzoor Nadir’s influence as a technocrat working with the PPP/C.
She added that the 2011 manifesto focuses on policies and programmes for Guyana beyond 2020.
“Providing a platform for stability for our country’s national development has been the fundamental basis of our pro-Western policies. The foundations of social harmony built on a platform for stability has been the source of inspiration during periods of national and political crisis,” Brassington said.
TUF Prime Ministerial Candidate, Ms. Marissa Nadir outlined the major areas of the 2011 manifesto, which include:
* Creating an investment friendly atmosphere to boost the economy and jobs;
* Cultivation of more private-public sector partnership projects;
* Adopting and implementing a ‘Keep Guyana Safe’ crime policy;
* Developing the technological advancement of Guyana;
* Improving the infrastructural framework across the country;
* Strengthening families, building communities and fostering nation building by stimulating and engaging the spiritual and moral values of our people, and
* Economic development programme within the framework of a Green Economy.
Nadir contends that constitutional reform is on the cards, as well as addressing the backlog of cases at the courts and advancing changes to copyright and such laws.
She stressed that taxpayers’ funds must be utilised in a more efficient manner.
“We need to do these reviews to take Guyana into a technological age,” the Prime Ministerial Candidate said.
She maintained that TUF is right, ready and stable going into the 2011 General and Regional elections.
The 2011 manifesto also advocates a review of the tax system and the income tax threshold will be increased to $75,000, PAYE will be lowered from 33 and 1/3 per cent to 25 per cent and property tax and the revenue stamp system will be abolished.
Another TUF Member, Mr. Roy Van Tholl argued that more disposable income means people would have more to spend and the increase in economic activity will, in turn, improve the livelihoods of Guyanese.
The TUF manifesto also promises restructuring and reorganising Government departments to ensure efficient, flexible, responsive, productive and a highly motivated and development-oriented public service.
Jobs related education programmes are proposed to provide the poor with skills to secure better quality employment opportunities, among several strategies to address poverty.
With a focus on education for a knowledge-based economy, TUF’s manifesto advocates a restructuring of the system in order to enable students to acquire higher levels of innovative and entrepreneurial skills.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
For their development, TUF proposed the implementation of youth development principles, policies and actions, which address education reform; upgrading the public health care system; institutionalising national level mentoring systems for “at risk” youths; reforming and strengthening legal, judicial and policing systems and strengthening community and neighbourhood support systems for adolescents and families.
With agriculture being a major contributor to Guyana’s economy, TUF has placed much emphasis on the rice sector, promising to make a $3 billion fund available for farmers, as well as increased land allocations, marketing support and export promotion, among other initiatives.
General economic development received some attention, with the aim of providing the foundation for it with a focus on developing ports of entry, establishment of public buildings to decentralise services and sea and river defence projects.
A Georgetown Renewal Plan is also included in plans for a private-public partnership that will make the capital “a safe, well manicured and beautiful” city.
Amerindian people’s issues featured significantly, with pledges to double the stipends of Toshaos, restore inland transportation services, financial and marketing enterprise development, greater investment in education for indigenous people and improved cultural and sport opportunities.
TUF noted that advancing information and communication technology (ICT) and international relations on issues of energy, agriculture, national security, trade, economic cooperation, training and education, are also expected to propel Guyana’s development.
Van Tholl expounded on the party’s crime-reduction plan as a key area in ensuring the success of the proposed plans and programmes.

SOCIAL WELFARE
According to him, TUF is concerned with the social welfare of Guyanese and in a society where the average man prefers to stay away from the police, the image of the Force must be changed.
“We will change the name of the Guyana Police Force to the Guyana Service Force,” he said.
Van Tholl said those leading the Disciplined Services will be people selected to function in top positions strictly on the basis of merit , with a demonstration of investigative and citizen protection skills.
He said TUF also proposes the establishment of a National Bureau of Investigation, specialised investigative and intelligence units, furnished with a forensic laboratory, too.
Van Tholl said, under a TUF administration, assistance will be sought from nations such as the United States (U.S.) to help tackle crime and improve public security.
“There are too many crimes that are forgotten, not solved,” he declared.
Van Tholl said, not only will crimes be solved in a shorter time, but the response to them and security will be a professional one.
TUF’s leadership team claims the party is offering a new vision with clearly defined policies and pragmatic programmes.