THE ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is “chomping at the bit” as it heads into the May 11 General and Regional elections campaign, according to its General Secretary, Clement Rohee. “We are chomping at the bit to go…the election is creating tremendous amount of energy for us,” he said on Monday, during the party’s weekly press conference held at Freedom House.

According to him, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which coalesced into an alliance over the weekend, has added impetus to the party’s campaign, particularly as it relates to the combined Opposition’s track record in the 10th Parliament.
“What is energising us is the need to get over the experiences we had in the 10th Parliament, where all of our developmental projects were being blocked and where the one-seat majority or where the uncontrollable horse was let loose on the Guyanese people,” he quipped.
Rohee underscored the fact that a majority of the Guyanese people do not want to return to the days of stalled development and progress – a sentiment reflected in analyses done by the PPP.
“Our supporters and members do not want a return to that situation and that is what is energising us…they see themselves challenged by the experience they had, which they do not want a return to,” he said.
STRATEGIC
The party’s general secretary maintains that the PPP has the best oiled election machinery in Guyana, given that it is the one party with the most political experience in the country.
“Elections are won by people who can think things through…elections are not won by dunderheads,” he said.
On that note, he acknowledged that mistakes were made during 2011, in the lead-up to the November polls.
However, he stressed that every effort has been made to correct these.
“We did make certain errors in the 2011 elections. Had we not made those errors, our political fortunes would have been different,” Rohee said.
The party’s general secretary added, “We had the testicular perspicacity [to admit] that we made mistakes. We were man enough to recognise that we made mistakes…we have been working as energetically and creatively as we can to correct those…since that time we have worked as energetically as we can to correct those mistakes…we have come a far way since then.”
All considered, Rohee expressed confidence that the PPP is well positioned to regain a majority, come May 11.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
The PPP general secretary asserted that the track record of the ruling party is a proven one.
He posited that social advances are seen in the successes of the education, health and housing sectors, as well as in the support to vulnerable groups in Guyana.
With regard to Guyana’s economic standing, Guyana has had real consecutive economic growth every year since 2006. This represents the longest period of uninterrupted, real economic growth since independence in 1966. Growth as at mid-year, according to a report from Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, reached the 3.2 percent mark. The economy is projected to grow by 4.5 percent in the full year 2014, with non-sugar growth projected at 3.6 percent.
The private sector has also made significant achievements in every area of endeavour, with investments in mining, agriculture, tourism, commerce and information-based technology. The service sector has also grown steadily, making an important contribution to Guyana’s economic progress. Also, over the years, Guyana has seen massive development in the construction sector.
These facts, Rohee stressed, will be considered by voting Guyanese in the upcoming regional and general elections.