THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last evening pleaded with residents of Buxton to vote for the continuation of development of the country and the future of their children and not on their emotions on Monday.The public meeting held at the Buxton Line Top, grew in number and became more vocal as it progressed, as the ruling party pressed home its message that it will never neglect the prominent and once violence-prone East Coast Demerara village in the process of developing Guyana.

Buxton has seen notable developments over the past 23 years, with new roads, better access to health care, potable water and a safer community.
If re-elected to office, the PPP/C promised that it will focus on expanding agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises in the village to provide jobs and raise the standard of living of residents.
Resident of Buxton, Mr.Joseph Hamilton, who was the first to take the podium, urged the gathering not to be fooled by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) alliance, pointing out that Guyana has been transformed under the ruling party.
Those that say that there is no development under the PPP/C, he said are either “mad” or are parading “ignoramuses”.
He told the gathering that the development that Guyana has witnessed from 1992 to now only happened because the ruling administration, through sound management of the country, created the environment for growth and development to flourish.
A vote for the PPP/C on Monday, he said, is a vote to secure the future of their children and grandchildren, as he asked Buxtonians to move away from the blind loyalty shown by their grandmothers and great-grandfathers, and look to a brighter future for their children.
According to Hamilton, senior leaders of the APNU+AFC alliance have been telling their supporters not to vote for the PPP/C, but said even they have benefitted under the current Government, and they run to the Government when they need help.
NO LONGER HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS
Urging his villagers to give their support to the PPP/C on Monday, Hamilton appealed to them to do some introspection, pointing out that today, their village is no longer a haven for criminal elements supported by the People’s National Congress (PNC).
The former PNC Executive said that residents of the once troubled East Coast Demerara village today can not only celebrate development, but also celebrate that their village is no longer held ransom by a few pushing an extremely narrow political agenda.
President Donald Ramotar, who received a noisy reception, told the gathering that Guyana has come a far way, as more Guyanese today own their own homes and their children have better access to education.
Prior to 1992, he said many Guyanese were unable to own their own home since the interest rates at the commercial banks were over 35 per cent; today, he said, it is 4.2 per cent for low-income housing and below 7 per cent for housing in the middle-income category.
During the past 23 years, the Government has distributed some 100,000 houselots, and has almost succeeded in eliminating squatting.
In support of educating the nation’s children, the highest sum in the national budget is channelled in the education sector, more schools have been built; teachers receive better remuneration; and students benefit from a $10,000 school voucher and a uniform programme.
These, the President said, are some of the steps taken by the ruling party to ensure every child receives a sound education and go on to become professionals in their chosen fields, imbued with the spirit to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their country.
Speaking to a restive crowd, President Ramotar said the past three years have not been an easy one for his Government, pointing out that the combined Opposition did all in their power, using their one-seat majority in Parliament to block the development of the country.
They voted down the Amaila Hydro Project which would have enabled the generation of cheaper energy, spring-boarding development in the manufacturing sector, creating thousands of jobs through a mushrooming of large, small and micro-enterprises.
WILL NOT GIVE UP
But the Government will not give up, the President said, noting that once re-elected, the PPP/C Administration will bring the Hydro Project on stream, benefiting residents of Buxton and the rest of Guyana.
The deep-water harbour in Berbice, the President said, will also be built to scale up commerce, creating jobs and improving the standard of living of Guyanese, more particular, ordinary Guyanese.
The PPP/C, he said, is not about making wild promises but is about making dreams a reality, noting that Buxton has changed from a state of ruin in 1992, to a village on the move.
In recent years, the Government has reconstructed the Tipperary Hall, build new roads and open up new farm lands in the once troubled East Coast Demerara village.
Minister of Housing and Water Mr Irfaan Ali, told residents when he took to the podium that the development will continue with focus on expanding agriculture cultivation, livestock rearing and the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the village through low interest loans.
These, he said, will provide employment for residents, thereby improving lives in the village.
New member of the PPP/C Mr Clinton Urling, who addressed the gathering as the crowd was building and becoming more vocal, told the residents of Buxton that the PPP/C is about progress, prosperity, peace, diversity, inclusionary democracy and about a secured future for all Guyanese.
DO NOT GAMBLE
The young businessman said Guyana has been transformed under the ruling party. He urged Buxtonians to vote for the PPP/C on Monday and not to gamble their future by placing trust in the hands of the Opposition as they do not have caring politicians.
The PPP/C, he emphasised, does not make promises but make things happen, and this is testimony of the transformation that Guyana has witnessed over the past 23 years.
And it will continue on the development path after Monday, as attention will be focused on expanding the banking system, further bringing down interest rates, developing small and medium-sized businesses and the building of canning and packaging factories, Urling said.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, also addressed the public meeting, telling the very vocal gathering that the PPP/C is a better team, and has done more for Buxton than the PNC did.
He went at great length to explain his contention, but the crowd was not too approving, shouting “David Granger! David Granger!”
The Attorney General nevertheless told them that notwithstanding the unwelcoming reception, he still loves them, the PPP/C has their interest at heart, and it is their democratic right to controllably express themselves.
The PNC, he said, took away that freedom and made them suffered greatly. Nandlall also urged the Buxtonians to not allow themselves to return to those dark days, and vote solidly for the ruling party on Monday.
Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, and Buxtonian, Mr Odinga Lumumba, who chaired the public meeting, told the gathering that the PPP/C is about love and unity, peace and progress and growth and development, and they should vote solidly to ensure that Guyana does not return to the hands of the PNC, the controller of the APNU+AFC alliance.

By Tajeram Mohabir