“WE ARE the children of Dr. Cheddi Jagan; we came from the stock that fought for independence. And in less than six days from now, we have to make a choice; that choice is between a progressive and developed country or a backward and empty one with unfulfilled promises; it is between the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C,” Senior member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Irfaan Ali told residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast Demerara.Ali told the PPP/C supporters, “They try to harm us, but they will not take away the dignity of the PPP/C; we are a people of development and peace.” He went to note some of the recent activities that took place, and inferred that the APNU+AFC (Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) supporters were trying to deter and scare PPP/C supporters. He, however, assured them that they need not fear; and neither should they retaliate.

TRACK RECORD

“You have a simple choice that will determine how we move forward in this country: The future of your family. And that choice must be based on trust; nothing can be developed without trust,” he said, explaining that the PPP/C has a track record that points to achievements and development of the country.
Ali shifted gear as he stated that for someone to acquire a job, that individual will need to show their qualifications and have creditable references. “Let us examine the leaders that come for your support: Khemraj Ramjattan said he would never collate with the PNC (People’s National Congress), but he collated. Can you trust him?” he asked, and the answer was a resounding “NO!”
Continuing, he said, “In 2011 when we were deciding who will be the Speaker of the House when Moses Nagamootoo’s name came up, David Granger said he cannot be trusted; but today Granger is presenting him to Guyana as their prime ministerial candidate. Can you trust them?” Again, the answer was “NO!”
Warming to the topic, Ali said, “They have started a marriage on shallow grounds. On May 11, we must let them know we are not fools; we cannot be manipulated; we understand the political situation and we are going to vote solidly for the PPP/C. May 11 is about protecting Guyana’s democracy and continued development under the PPP/C; it is about safeguarding your dignity and ensuring that Guyana never returns to the Dark Ages of the PNC.”
According to Ali, the APNU+AFC coalition candidate Carl Greenidge is their present nominee for the Minister of Finance post.
“When Guyana was the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, he was the Minister of Finance. When we could not produce enough rice, and had to import rice for the people, he was the minister; and when home loans were beyond the hands of the people, Greenidge was the Minister of Finance.”
He mentioned also that “the Housing Ministry had to resort to closing its doors when inflation was triple digits and when the country was bankrupt, when we had the highest migration rate. More than 70% of Guyanese was living in poverty. He is a failure.”

ONLY COUNTRY IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE
Pointing to the track record of the PPP/C Government, he noted that Dr. Ashni Singh has recorded for Guyana nine consecutive years of growth. He stressed that Guyana was the only country in the Western Hemisphere to have grown while other countries were faced with an economic strain.
“Inflation is now 0.9%, house loan is now less than 5%, commercial loans are now less than 13%; this is the progress under the PPP/C Government.”
Ali, during his remarks on the achievements and further development of the country, noted that the PPP/C’s manifesto is one where you will be able to see and examine positive growth in the next four years – “a strong macro-economic country with strong footing that has many benefits for all Guyanese.”
HOUSING
Ali also focused attention in an area that he is quite versed in, stating that the APNU+AFC manifesto speaks of giving the Guyanese citizens access to rental monies instead of assisting them in the ownership of their own home. “They will give us rent money but under the PPP/C Government you will get your own home. The poor man only option is to rent – how we are going to create wealth this is not strange to see where they place their importance. They don’t see the importance of home ownership.”
He stressed that under this Government home ownership has moved from 57years to 34 years – “this is the change the positive and realistic change under the PPP/C.”
Alluding to some aspects of the PPP/C vision for the future, he noted that some 30,000 house lots will be created and for the people of Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) 5,000 low income house lots will be constructed. “We will do this because it will empower you. We believe in the empowerment of our people and building wealth in the family.”
EDUCATION
Speaking on education, specifically to Region 3, Ali noted that years ago when he wrote the then ‘common entrance examinations’, only five persons from Region 3 received schools in Georgetown. “Now we got more than 25% out of the top 100 performers of the country and children from all across the country are able to top the CSEC exams.”
He noted too that under different programmes started by the Government, children and young adults are able to educate themselves in technical vocations without having to leave the Region.
JOBS
Ali stressed that, “Not a single point for jobs in Region 3, nothing for economic policy and no new form of job creation was mentioned in their (APNU+AFC) manifesto.”
He said further that the investment of the fibre optic cable project will create 6,000 new jobs countrywide and in Region 3 a call centre is currently being built and will create 1,000 jobs. Another call centre will be built at La Parfaite Harmonie with another creation of 1,000 jobs.
He noted also that they will create jobs in the different sectors, mainly the tourism sector.
Ali spoke at length about the creation of infrastructure such as roads and sport facilities, among others. He noted too that the manifesto speaks specifically on the PPP/C vision for the rice and sugar industries. These industries, he noted, “will be safeguarded by the PPP/C and would never be allowed to fail.”
“The future is bright – vote PPP/C and secure your family and children’s future,” Ali urged.

By Rebecca Ganesh