Dear editor,
FIRSTLY, allow me on behalf of the residents of Region Five to say a big “thank you” to HE President David Granger for once again visiting our region.  It was a very good visit, especially in an area\village that is said to be a strong hold of the opposition.
On Saturday, March 31st, 2018, President Granger made a landmark visit to this region to have his kite-distribution during the Easter holidays. The place or village for the kite-distribution was Bath Settlement and we all know that the opposition PPP has been claiming this village as their stronghold. It was a scene that many did not see for decades, especially seeing a helicopter circling over the village and landing in its playground. Many rushed to their verandas to video and take pictures, while many rushed out of their homes to wave and be part of welcoming the President.

Let me say this was a shocker to the PPP.  Because, after they heard a few days before that the President will be visiting Bath Settlement to distribute kites, they also decided to do same merely an hour before the actual event with the President. Well, the PPP was shocked also at their low turnout for the plastic kites distribution.
Let me say this for the readers’ benefit. When I heard that the PPP would be distributing kites on the said day and just an hour before the President’s programme, my spirit became weak, knowing the PPP. I said to some of my colleagues that the PPP will warn the parents not to send their children to the President’s kite-distribution programme.
But another shocker came before the President landed in the community playground; scores of children started to rush under the tent to sit with their plastic kites that were given by the PPP.  Some of the children dumped the plastic kites when they saw the board frame kites, while some put it away under the chairs to have another kite from the President. It was an amazing scene.

As the President entered the venue, the residents and children of Bath Settlement started to jump and shout with joy on seeing His Excellency. It was more breathtaking when the President joined the hundreds of children dancing to the rhythms of the tassa drums. It was very mind-blowing.

As I looked around, the residents of Bath Settlement started to rush to have a glimpse of the President, while one of the residents’ whispered next to me to another “how come Bharrat just seh the man won’t come here and people come out”.
The children and residents of Bath Settlement along Region 5 at large wholeheartedly welcomed President David Granger in their village. It was a true sign of social cohesion.
The President handed out over five hundred (500) kites to the children and the rush was still on long after the distribution concluded. The kites were well received by the children and their parents. As the President was heading back to the helicopter, residents and children rushed to the playfield to wave goodbye and see the President off. The chopper was high up and they continued waving and shouting for joy.

Thank you, Mr. President, for visiting and bringing joy to the faces of the many children and residents of Bath Settlement and surrounding areas during the Easter season. I will also like to thank the Hon. Amna Ally for always showing her love and being there for the people of her birth region, Region 5. Thank you, Minister.
Mr. Editor, it’s sad to see the length the opposition and its leader would go to gain political mileage. Why am I saying this? When the PPP decided to go an hour before to distribute kites in the same area, they went there with the intention to tell their supporters that they nor their children must support the government event. It is sad when the leader of the PPP can turn a kite-distribution event into a political event. The PPP and its leader told the residents that Guyana belongs to the PPP and its supporters and they must regain it soon. Well, after I heard that, I knew Bharrat and the PPP are fast asleep and having daydreams.

At no time during the President’s address to the children and residents did he ever make a political statement. The President did what he had to do which was to bring joy to the people of Bath Settlement. I know that the PPP is now trembling with fear as to what has happened in Bath Settlement that day. I know that they will now feel the heat as they are opposing what the people are demanding, and that is social cohesion through national unity.

The people need to understand as to why Bharrat Jagdeo was attacking the President’s kite-distributing so much the very nigh on television? He was upset that he hadn’t that turnout at his event in an area that he claimed to be his. But I must let the PPP know that time has changed and the people of Bath Settlement understand what they went through for 23 years under the PPP. In those years, the PPP couldn’t have turned the squatting area over the line into a housing area, but now Jagdeo is saying to them it will happen when the PPP win at the upcoming 2020 polls.

Well, it should be “If” the PPP win and we all know that it won’t happen. So the PPP and its leadership need to stop lying to the people. That area was the same area that the PPP went before 2015 elections and took the poles to have electricity in the area, but told the squatters that can only be after the 2015 elections when they cast their votes for the party.  How shameful. To compare the opposition leader and the President’s visit the same day in an area that [is] said to be dominant PPP support base. I will and many will do same to say this to the PPP– “SHAME ON YOU”.

Thank you Mr. President for the visit and looking forward to seeing you in the near future.

Regards
Abel Seetaram
Regional Councillor
Region 5