WITH pronouncements by the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) on issues of national unity, incumbent Head of State, Donald Ramotar charged that mere lip service and history matched against consistent positions and action finds one on the wrong end of the scale.“While the other parties pay lip service to multi-ethnic and multi-cultural polices, we (the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic) in reality work constantly to ensure that,” he said to Christopher Holder, the host in an interview on Sunday with the Berbice-based National Communications Network (NCN).
ONLY NATIONAL PARTY
The President stressed that the PPP/C is the only national party that is truly representative of all of Guyana and the Guyanese society.
The alliance, on the other hand, according to him, has advanced actions and comments that promote the politics of division.
Mr. Ramotar explained that the Opposition has talked about staying off the path of ethnic-politics, when their analyses of the ‘on the ground’ sentiments are premised on a root of assessing the ethnic base among the electorate.
“Nagamootoo has already said that he will deliver 11 per cent of Indian votes,” he said.
The PPP/C on the other hand, the President said, has delivered policies, programmes and legislative action that are national in character.
“We never allowed ourselves to fall into a mould of being a party of one group of people…we always had national policies, national in character, we have been making national appeals…it is now beginning to show that we are crossing a lot of barriers in that regard,” he said.
This, Mr. Ramotar declared, was highlighted by the massive turnout of thousands on Sunday at Babu John, Port Mourant, in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), for the memorial of founder of the incumbent Party and former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
He said, “I was extremely impressed because it reflects the growing political awareness of the people of our country…it was the biggest turnout since Dr. Cheddi Jagan passed away. It reflected clearly that there is a growing awareness of what is happening in our country, they understand what is taking place. That is significant.”
A growing awareness, the President noted, is fuelled by the fact that the May 11 General and Regional Elections are a mere two months away.
He added that the turnout reflects the fact that Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s influence, life and works could still capture the masses. “Many people are aware of the tremendous role of Dr. Jagan in our country.”
SUPPORT BASE
This recognition has extended to the current Administration’s commitment to the Guyanese people, Mr. Ramotar said.
According to him, this commitment has allowed the PPP/C to regain ground lost in the 2011 elections, particularly in the Berbice area, which is a stronghold of the Party.
“They have seen that we are committed…they have seen our commitment here and elsewhere,” he said.
The President noted too that the people have recognised that irresponsible promises made during the last elections were intended to deceive.
“They recognised that the AFC tried to deceive them with irresponsible promises intended to catch the votes,” he said, making particular reference to the AFC’s position on the sugar industry.
Mr. Ramotar said, “AFC promised 20 per cent increase…a year later they joined the call to shut the industry down…. the Government has shown that it will support the industry and will restructure it – the best days for sugar are still ahead.”
He explained that the industry was faced by difficulties following the loss of a major preferential market and so investments were made to sustain the industry.
While the Head of State acknowledged that the returns on the investments made were not what was expected, change will take time.
“We are confident in the investments we made,” he said.
Mr. Ramotar expressed confidence in the fact that the efforts made to regain lost supporters has met with success.
“I believe our sugar workers have seen our commitment to them and seen that the Opposition promises things that are designed, fundamentally, to deceive,” he said.
On that note, he stressed that the cause of the Government and the interests of the people are one and the same, and in addition to the guidance provided by Dr. Jagan’s vision, the PPP/C will continue to advance the nation’s development – when the people return them with a mandate to do so, come May 11.
“We cannot afford that this time. You have seen what has happened in the last three years…you have seen all the efforts we have been making,” Mr. Ramotar said.

(By Vanessa Narine)