Dear Editor,
PERMIT me a space in your daily newspaper to express my deepest appreciation over the achievements of my government on this their second anniversary. The water was definitely not smooth upon their assumption of duty, given that Venezuela suddenly decided to  reclaim Essequibo, closure of the PetroCaribe deal, GUYSUCO demanding another bailout and of course the high crime rate, disrespect for law and order, coupled with the disloyalty for country that was present. Nonetheless, the achievements are numerous and for that I am extremely proud.

First, public servants received over the two-year period significant salary increases with a $75000 Christmas bonus. The increase in the income tax threshold saw 68000 persons exempted from income tax and the reduction in PAYE allowed persons to have more disposable income at hand. There was a 38 percent increase in minimum wages. The old age pension and public assistance were both significantly increased in the space of two years. A reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll happened when we were once told that it cannot happen; and free transportation for our schoolchildren is finally a reality, all because of the many buses, bicycles and boats donated by supporters and well-wishers of this government.
Secondly, close to 1000 scholarships were awarded to Guyanese students in an effort to further educate this nation so as to lift it from the nightmare this government received it in.

GUYSUCO received a $33 Billion dollars bailout, the establishment of 51 new ICT hubs all across Guyana is now a reality, hence, folk from rural Guyana can be informed in a timely manner of what is happening in urban Guyana. Radio Mabaruma is on air, Radio Lethem is on air, Radio Aishalton is under construction,  Radios Bartica, Mahdia and Orealla are also under construction. Georgetown is no longer the garbage city, but is being restored as the garden city and no longer do floodwaters take days to be drawn off, it happens now in a matter of hours, fundamentally because major canals and trenches were desilted and excavated.
Thirdly, in an effort to improve the quality of water supply across beautiful Guyana, $5.6 Billion was put toward water-treatment plants and areas that never saw GWI water are finally smiling, because this basic need was provided them by the APNU+AFC Government.

Editor, space will not permit me to expound on the other achievements such as the establishment of three new towns, holding of local government elections after 22 years, lower crime rates, less blackouts, 4G internet, passage of the telecommunications bill, the abolishment of political victimization, the restoration of press freedom, better roads and streets, especially in Leguan and Sophia, reduction in VAT and more zero rated items, the passage of the anti-money laundering bill, street lights in a number of communities, the establishment of Regional Passport Offices, the introduction of the ferry service from GT to the North West District, the provision of 8060 laptops to our teachers among so many other achievements, combined with the many, many achievements regional administrations boast boldly about. Therefore, as a reminder to the people of Guyana, this government is two years old and of all the ministers, only two have served in previous governments; therefore, it is my belief that not only do we have to collectively embrace our government and give them the support they need so as to achieve the desperately needed social cohesion, but also be proud and honest about the remarkable achievements, for again it has been only two years.

My President, your President, our President has done well in restoring some degree of law and order and I am certain in the near future complete law and order will be restored. In 2010, a politician friend of mine said publicly that Guyana can with visionary leadership be lifted from the nightmare it finds itself in and today my dear readers, we are seeing before our very eyes that visionary leadership. Let’s embrace and support, so that our children and grandchildren can inherit a proud country. Don’t let us be distracted by the very forces that divided and destroyed us. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS.

Regards
Ganesh Mahipaul