— says AFC as it lauds progress made by Gov’t

ACKNOWLEGING that the APNU+AFC coalition government must double its efforts to “advance progress” in the areas of constitutional reform, full liberalisation of the telecommunications sectors and providing stable and reliable electricity, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said during the past three years Guyana has been able to unlock its “long lamented potential”.

In a statement on the eve of the coalition’s third anniversary, the AFC said “the critical groundwork has been completed in each of these areas and efforts will be made to bring these to a level of acceptability in the shortest possible timeframe.”

The political party said Guyana is poised for massive infrastructural, economic and social transformation which will pole-vault the country into being a hemispheric leader and pace-setter.

“A better, prosperous and glorious Guyana lies in wait for us. We need, as Guyanese, to press ahead and remain committed and optimistic,” the statement said while noting that the realisation of the good life for all remains a top priority not only for the AFC but the coalition government.

The APNU+AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord back in 2015 to enter into a pre-election coalition. On Thursday, the AFC reaffirmed its decision to sign the Accord, noting that it was “correct and in the best national interest”.

“This historic agreement, which followed the AFC-piloted No Confidence Motion in the former regime, laid the foundation for the removal of the oppressive PPP from office and the installation of a true government of national unity under the Presidency of His Excellency David Granger and Prime Ministership of the Honourable Moses Nagamootoo,” the party stated.

According to the AFC, since taking office in May 2015, “there has been hitherto unimaginable advancement in all sectors and spheres of life in Guyana”.

The party pointed to public servants benefitting from “significant increase” in salaries; lower VAT rate, lower taxes, a higher tax threshold, higher minimum wage and better pensions.

“There is a better and wider delivery of a higher quality of education and health care all across the land,” AFC said. In the area of infrastructure, the party noted what it considers to be a “national revolution” with new and better road across the country, particularly in Mabaruma, Mahdia and the East Bank of Berbice.

BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE

New pedestrian overpasses, walkways and sidewalks, lighted streets and roadways in the Corentyne and Mocha-Arcadia as well as renovated bridges such as all along the East Coast Demerara were also highlighted by the party.

“The epidemic of piracy in Guyana’s waters has been eliminated, there is vastly improved security for citizens, and the administration of justice, which was decimated under the PPP, has been overhauled and advanced.”

The AFC pointed to the cleaning up and beautification of Georgetown as well as training and scholarships for public servants, the police and among other categories of Guyanese professionals.

Additionally, the party said “Guyana has mounted a strategically solid and astute defence of its territorial integrity while at the same time restoring the country’s previously tattered image on the international stage”.

The party believes that there has been resounding investor confidence here, and as such, work will continue to strengthen the country’s climate and legal framework for investment.

INVESTOR CONFIDENCE

As an example of investor confidence growing, the AFC said Guyana for the first time has been able to host multiple major meetings, conferences, summits and expos, including GIPEX, CFATF, judges and magistrates and tourism.

In the telecommunications sector, the AFC noted that it is undergoing a “major revolution” with over 100 ICT Hubs built and commissioned in every corner of Guyana and faster and free Internet services provided countrywide.

“The lot of our long-maligned indigenous peoples has improved ten-fold. Whereas previously they were disrespected, side-lined and given token handouts during election campaign cycles, they are now consulted, supported and treated as equal Guyanese and citizens. Training and funding geared towards self-reliance through various programmes and initiatives have been launched and are on-going,” the statement noted.

The AFC contends that the coalition government has deftly handled, without major incident, disasters and difficult situations such as flooding in 2015 and the prison break and fire and the relocation of over 1000 prisoners overnight.

“Despite agenda-fuelled criticisms, Guyana’s fast-track to first oil in 2020 is moving apace with all the requisite frameworks and legal mechanisms being advanced. This has been done studiously and following wide consultation and an insistence on engaging with the public at every level.”

In the agriculture sector, drainage and irrigation, farm-to-market roads and other infrastructure have been improved considerably, the party noted while pointing to the rice sector which is undergoing a resounding rebound following diligent work on securing new overseas markets – particularly in Mexico as pursued by Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

The price for paddy is steadily rising, resulting in confidence among rice farmers. New townships and regional radio stations are also highlights of the coalition government’s tenure.