– BIGA aims to keep power, manage own affairs

IN a historic move just weeks before Local Government Elections (LGE), a team of business people in Bartica have combined their energies to launch the Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA) which plans solely to develop the interests of Bartica’s eventual township and green economy.At the official launch Tuesday at TTS-CH5 Compound in First Avenue, Bartica, the manifesto presented outlined in detail the plans for the mining community and future investments to stimulate development in all spheres.
The candidates contesting the nine constituencies include: Ian Beckles – Constituency rep #1, Sergio Joseph – Constituency rep #2, Ignatius Prowell – Constituency rep #3, Joan Khan – Constituency rep #4, Zulfikar Hack – Constituency rep #5, Latoya Schultz – Constituency rep #6, Troy Thornhill – Constituency rep #6, Carol Fredricks – Constituency rep # 8 and Vivian Licorish – Constituency rep #9.
Attending the event was Alliance For Change Chairman Nigel Hughes, Chairman of BIGA Holbert Knights, supporters and well-wishers of the newly formed party set to contest LGEs on March 18, 2016.
According to Knights, the party’s objective is to ensure that the new town of Bartica was governed by the right inspirational leaders, who had the behavioural and functional competencies and vision to collaborate with all stakeholders to develop strategic programmes to facilitate the social, political, and economic development of the municipality of Bartica.
He said to deliver a balanced economy with strengths in every part, Bartica needed a highly-skilled workforce, flexible business support and finance. Barticians must invest to grow sectors such as manufacturing that can provide high-skilled, sustainable jobs, open up the supply chain to small and medium-sized businesses and support firms bringing activity home.
Underscoring the manifesto, candidate Juretha Fernandes said BIGA strongly believed that the future of the town was in the hands and hearts of Barticians.
“The party believed in the proverb: “To grow yourself one has to know yourself,” meaning that each and every individual had the responsibility of ensuring that through participation, individually and collectively, they would guarantee a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
She continued: “We also believe that with the level of competence that is so widespread in our alliance, the President’s plan for making Bartica a model Green Town will be realised. The Bartica Independent Green Alliance is putting forward nine competent representatives who are capable leaders and are willing to contribute to the transformation of Bartica.”
Sergio Joseph who is representing constituency #2 said during his maiden political speech that Barticians should learn the facts of LGE and they would realise the importance of local democracy. He believes after careful analysis citizens of Bartica will realise the only choice is to vote for the BIGA Group.
“Even the fears that are being peddled make no political sense, that we will be starved of resources to realise our vision. We must say no to political bullyism that we have so long fought so long against last May,” he declared.
Highlighting that six government ministers recently visited Bartica on a political campaign to intimidate its competition, Joseph appealed to the leaders of the two major political parties contesting in Bartica that they may have been placed in the position without fully understanding the facts about local government and what it means to the people of Bartica to keep their power to manage their own affairs.
“I ask you as you study the facts and come to realise what’s best for the people of Bartica and that you humbly surrender your current position because it is the morally right thing to do for your people and embrace the only independent group in Bartica,” he opined.
He explained that Barticians know the challenges, strengths and opportunities that exist in their communities as it relates to the human, natural and financial resources. As such, he noted that BIGA would collaborate with stakeholders to leverage and maximize all opportunities to ensure development of the new town of Bartica.
Representative of constituency #5, Zulfikar Hack said the election was not simply a choice between three candidates or three political parties, but between three fundamentally different paths for the community and their families.
He elaborated that Bartica needed a strong economy not just to help fund public services but because growth and enterprise creates jobs and opportunities for all. “BIGA wants an economy that is strong, green, open and fair. As Bartica moves forward we must make sure that our growth, prosperity and well-being are built to last, for everyone. BIGA offers Bartica the opportunity to move Bartica forward by working from the middle out and not top down. Our central focus is our people,” he concluded.