STRENGTH garnered from the support of the Guyanese masses is strength enough for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), according to its presidential candidate and incumbent Head of State, Donald Ramotar. “The People’s Progressive Party is strong enough to fight its own political battles,” he said, delivering a jab at the political opposition, whose majority partner is the People’s National Congress (PNC), which has a history of subverting the professionalism of the Armed Forces to sustain its regime via rigged elections.

His message to thousands gathered in support for the PPP/C at its most recent rally held at Stewartville was well received, as evidenced by thunderous cheers, applause and the occasional whistle.
Mr Ramotar underscored that as Commander-in-Chief, he has never given illegal instruction to the Disciplined Forces, and never asked them to undertake work of a political nature.
“The PPP has always acted in the interest of the people of this country; our record will show that we are the only genuine friends of the Armed Forces, and we are recommitting ourselves to building the Armed Forces to be professional people with the highest level of professionalism in our country,” he stressed.
President Ramotar noted that with 14 days to go and less than a week before the Disciplined Forces cast their vote, the ruling party remains committed to the development of Guyana, and improvement in the quality of life for the Guyanese people.
“We will continue to change Guyana,” the PPP/C presidential candidate assured its supporters and the nation on the whole.
He pointed to the PPP/C’s vision for the future, Guyana 2.0, which was launched on Saturday, and represents his party’s “pact with the Guyanese people” and outlines in detail the specifics of the party’s plans for the next five years.
“Our Manifesto not only describes our vision, but outlines in detail how we will make this a reality,” Mr Ramotar said.
According to him, growth, job creation, generation of wealth, the boosting of the manufacturing and tourism, among sectors, a focus on food and energy security, as well as a liberalized telecoms sector are plans that will be bolstered by several transformational infrastructural projects.
Among those listed are the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), bridges across the Corentyne and Demerara Rivers, a deep-water harbour at the mouth of the Berbice River and the rehabilitation of the West Demerara Road.
“We will lay the foundations for greater success,” he pledged, adding that the PPP/C will work tirelessly to realise the vision detailed in Guyana 2.0.
Mr Ramotar added that interventions in the sugar and rice sectors, major pillars of the economy, will also continue to receive support from his administration.
He underscored the success Guyana has had in being able to secure bilateral and multilateral agreements with development partners, in particular the recent support agreed on in India during his meetings with Prime Minister Navendra Modi.

The President stated that to move forward, there must be a “futuristic” focus to be able to capitalise on opportunities, and set the platform for greater advances.
On that note, he bemoaned the fact that the political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), has not worked with the current administration to advance development, but has adopted the politics of ‘No!’
This disposition, Mr Ramotar said, is now flipped for the purpose of electioneering, in that the political opposition is now promising hydropower, support for sugar and even the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, all issues on which they were initially unsupportive.
“That is their record! We must not allow our gains to be threatened; we must not only protect gains, but our pride and dignity; some of the things we have given our people has no price tag… Freedom of speech, among the things we brought back to our people,” he said.
The PPP/C presidential candidate also underscored the fact that there is much at stake come May 11 at the General and Regional elections.
“This election is important; this election, we must register the biggest ever victory of the PPP,” President Ramotar declared, reiterating his appeal for the Guyanese people to stand with his party and stand with him and the PPP/C has stood with them throughout the years.