RESIDENTS of Warapoka community in the Barima/Waini district of Region 1 have pledged their full support to the PPP/C at the general and regional elections set for May 11.Coming out in large numbers to attend a PPP/C public meeting last Saturday afternoon, residents said their community has seen development over the past 22 years under the PPP/C Government, and they do not have to use the PNC’s (now APNU) famous “jumbie” flambeau lamps anymore, but only have to press a switch to get solar powered light in their homes in the hinterland under the PPP/C Government.

Residents are proud of the People’s Progressive Party [PPP] as a party and as forming a Government; and they say they will vote for the cup solidly in order to return the party to Government.

Residents said their community had been neglected and the PNC Government had called them “bush people”; but today, the late ‘father of the nation’ and President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, and the PPP/C Government have transformed their community and involved them in every area of development. They said the PPP/C has brought them into the light.

Senior PPP/C representative and Chairman of Region 2, Mr Parmanand Persaud, who addressed residents, said the PPP/C Government has moved the country a far way in terms of development, and the economy has improved greatly. He said development is evident in every region across the country.

Mr Persaud said more could have being done under President Donald Ramotar’s Government, but the Opposition APNU and AFC parties voted down many big projects that would have benefited every Guyanese.

He called on residents to reject the APNU/AFC coalition, and pointed out that the AFC is trying to get votes to give to the APNU [PNC] to fight the PPP/C.

The Chairman said the PNC (APNU) wants to start its election campaign on the 21st February with the lighting of the Burnham torch to relive the Burnham era of blackouts, food shortages, poor health services, run down hospitals, poor potable water services, and suffering being visited on Guyanese. He reminded residents that under the PNC Government they had to paddle with canoes to Moruka and Charity to search for food, but under the PPP/C Government residents are now travelling in boats powered by 150 and 200 hp outboard engines, and there is no shortage of food.

Another PPP/C speaker, Mr Steve Stanley, reminded residents that under the PNC, now APNU, government, their community had to use an old army barracks as a school, but when the PPP/C came to office on 5th October, 1992, a new and modern school was built so children can pursue their education in an environment conducive to learning.

In a blistering attack on the Opposition parties, Mr Stanley said the PNC has changed its name to APNU, but it is the same PNC that destroyed Guyana during 28 years in Government by fraud and rigged elections. He said the AFC party is another arm of the PNC (APNU)

He said the PPP/C brought development to the community of Warapoka, and he pointed to trained teachers at the school. He said the community has a health post with its own trained health workers. The village also has its own vehicle and solar powered well.

Residents also praised the Government for the $10,000 education grant they received to help their children.
(Rajendra Prabhulall)