RECENTLY an Afro-Guyanese professional visited my home on my invitation to treat my dog. I must say I am very pleased with the treatment and response of the dog. However, during the process of looking after the dog we got into a conversation of politics. What he said to me was the same thing that would be expected from anyone who digested the venom fed to them by the APNU and AFC: – Corruption, discrimination, victimisation and Guyana going nowhere. He honestly believes that a single slate with APNU/AFC is the best thing for Guyana since, in his mind, the PPP will be defeated.
Having listened to this young man I realised the slimy character of the Leaders of the AFC and the subtle ‘race game’ they are playing. The young people of Guyana are not being told the true history. Instead they are being told of corruption and Jagdeo-phobea.

Upon enquiry he told me all he knows about politics is what he reads in one newspaper and listens to when the Opposition politicians are on television. When asked about ‘proof’, he reluctantly said Freddie provides the proof.

He was shocked to learn the following:-

1. That as the Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge was very often picketed by all the Trade Unions in Guyana, GTUC and PSU included. In fact, the WPA used to say ‘time for Carl to go’. I said ask Freddie.
2. The PNC built a Cassava factory that never worked. A bicycle factory that flopped. A glass factory that never produced. A barge to produce electricity that never worked. I said ask Ramjattan.
3. The PNC built Silos but there was no rice. Under the PNC Guyana imported rice for local consumption. The members of the GDF, acting under the instructions of President Burnham, went under Rice Farmers Houses and at gun point seized all seed paddy so as to meet export market because of low rice production. I said ask David Granger.
4. Guyana could not meet its sugar quota and supply local market under the PNC. So sugar was imported into Guyana from Panama for local consumption. I said ask Moses.
5. Guyanese had to form lines for soap, salt, kero, water, rice, etc. A said ask Clive Thomas.
6. When the PNC demitted Office there was not one cent in the treasury. I said ask Goolsaran.
7. There was not one Secondary school in an Amerindian area. I said ask Amna Ally.
8. The PNC controlled the distribution of all basic food items through a chain of stores name KSI (Knowledge Sharing Institute). They had Party Offices with someone designated as Party Co-ordinator. That person made the determination of who got quotas for the distribution of cooking oil, matches, sugar, milk powder, etc. Ask Hamilton Green.
9. During the PNC administrations, People who wanted to purchase a cutlass, file or grass knife a special permit was sought from the Ministry of Agriculture. Then they made their purchase at GNTC. I said ask Henry Jeffrey.
10. President Burnham did not honour his promise to increase wages from eleven dollars ($11) a day to fourteen dollars ($14) a day for two years straight. He said: Do you want $14 a day or Hydro”. I said ask Patrick Yard.
11. On the economics side Carl Greenidge used to talk of negative growth in his budget speech. We had Guy-Lines, rice flour and Beriberi. The Land to the Tiller programme failed. The Feed, Clothe and House programme failed. The cassava bread and milk programme failed. The Hydro project failed. The Leguan Stelling project failed. The soya bean project failed. The Alakyee Agri Project failed. I said ask Roopnarine.

Today Guyana is progressing. We are seeking new markets for rice; and sugar production is on the increase. Coconuts and other agricultural products are in demand in overseas market. Under the PPP/C administration, Guyana has a treasury reserve. Life expectancy has increased but more work is necessary for the reduction of infant/mother mortality. Our crime rate is still high. We still have a far way to go and with the PPP, all the positive signs are there. We know there are short-falls and some sectors cannot expand. Guess who cut the budget two years and brought difficulties?

I will do my part to make sure that the APNU and AFC do not misrepresent the history and consider the Guyanese people as being a tool to be used.

PANDIT CHRISHNA PERSAUD