LAST Sunday the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) held a memorial event at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, to mark the 20th death anniversary of the party’s Founder Leader, Dr. Cheddie Jagan. Events to honour the deceased and someone of Dr. Jagan’s stature would usually see speakers revisiting their contributions to society, the things they stood for, and probably how such would relate to present time.

When the party’s leader, General Secretary, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, took to the podium he made known that speaking to Dr. Jagan’s legacy was not his intent, since it’s his belief the deceased achievements were too many and he would not spend time referring to them. What was off-putting, apart from side-lining Dr. Jagan, who the event was hosted in memory of, was the coded language of race appeal.

Mr. Jagdeo in speaking to what is happening in sugar, though none should fault him having interest, dealt with the industry and company’s future in a manner unbecoming of the seriousness they deserve.  Where he feels that A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government is moving to destroy sugar-where a significant amount comprises the PPP/C’s support base- he did not see it worthy to remind the audience of the role he played, which has contributed to sugar’s current state.

During Mr. Jagdeo’s presidency the sugar industry was not only allowed to slide, but the nation’s largest investment in any state company was made in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The Skeldon Sugar factory,which he touted would have been the saviour for sugar, cost taxpayers more than US$200M. This factory never functioned based on expectation, as more money was thrown behind it to do modifications. Skeldon is not only a white elephant but it remains an albatross around the neck of every Guyanese.

It is unfortunate that during his presidency,and as sugar continued to decline,he never brought its problems to the National Assembly to have them debated and decisions made. Sugar workers, supporters of the PPP/C and every Guyanese should be concerned about whether his language of indignation at Babu Jaan was that of sincerity or seeing the political expediency to be had at Dr. Jagan’s expense.

If Mr. Jadgeo is concerned about the viability of the industry as Leader of the Opposition,he should have had the PPP/C appeared before the 2015 Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo and submit its ideas, including recommendations. The Sub-Committee established to look into sugar invited the participation of the PPP/C,but the party again failed to submit a proposal to improve GuySuCo’s performance. Condemning efforts by the APNU+AFC government in dealing with sugar–and this is not to say that these are perfect–when failing as Leader of Opposition and PPP/C to propose alternative, the blame for the state of sugar deservedly lies with Mr. Jagdeo.

Asking citizens to stand up and resist, where the constitution allows for freedom of expression, including dissent, should be respected. At the same time society will not forget that this very right Mr. Jagdeo reminds citizens of, he himself showed great intolerance for same while he was president. This society is littered with stories of agony of those who dare to stand up and resist during his government. A water-cannon, considered a most repressive form of crowd control tool, was purchased to dowse those that dare to stand up and resist.

The state of the economy may be in decline, and this is not under dispute;the Minister of Finance has admitted it, even though belatedly. But interest in Guyana would see recommendations being made to halt the slide, not seeking to revel in it and degrade any effort at economic opportunities. To derisively see any encouragement or effort to produce local products as deprivation is not only politically naïve but counterproductive to any effort at self-reliance and economic advancement.

Guyana Food Import Bill is astronomically high, which puts pressure on our foreign exchange reserve and also take citizens out of the productive sector.  Guyanese should feel proud of producing value-added from our primary agriculture products. Those who produce plantain chips, etc. should have the support and encouragement of all to produce for domestic and foreign consumption. Doing this will not only save foreign exchange, but also bring more.

The growth and development of Guyana require the input of all. The Leader of the Opposition is being paid to also propose ideas to build Guyana and create the opportunities for all to work in peace and harmony. It is therefore not unreasonable to encourage him to take heed of these expectations of him.