…AFC upbeat ahead of Monday polls

BANKING on what it said have been “amazing” receptions on their campaign across the country, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is very optimistic about their chances come the close of poll for Local Government Elections next Monday.

The AFC will be contesting in 38 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAA) across the country where voting will take place. The party hosted a final press conference on Friday and spoke of their expectations for Monday’s elections. AFC General-Secretary Marlon Williams noted that the AFC has been seeing encouraging support from citizens across the country over the past few months that they have been campaigning; this, particularly in areas where other parties have dominated over the years.

“For us we are jolly and we’re going into these elections joyful and expect a good outcome,” expressed Williams. “Our reception has been amazing. We went to Linden and we went to a community that predominantly votes for another group and they were so enthusiastic and so excited about seeing us there. We went to other communities where some people behave like they have transport over and our reception is always positive; and people are always excited about the AFC,” Williams said.

Party chairman Khemraj Ramjattan said if this enthusiasm is any indication of what will happen, then they see things going in their favour. “That kind of reception we’re hoping is going to be positive votes for the AFC. It is important that those people that have been giving all that support for us all across the country [come out and vote],” Ramjattan said.
“At Whim, people feel they have transport over the area they never believe that we could’ve had candidates at a constituency level and at PR [Proportional Representation] level; same thing for Good Hope and Number 52 village and many other villages in and around Corentyne and Corriverton.”

They press conference saw two of the party’s Region Four candidates also present, who spoke on their plans for their particular constituencies.

“The work we’ve done in Mocha so far is tremendous,” said Valencia Wren, AFC candidate for the Mocha-Arcadia LAA. “For the past 23 years we have been very much deprived; and since we would’ve won in 2015 a lot of work still hasn’t been done, but it is our aim that we can do much more.”

According to Wren, problems in her area include the need for the cleaning of drains, a proper garbage- collection system, youth employment issues, as well as land maintenance by those whose overgrown yards are resulting in snakes in the area.

She is hopeful that a skills centre could be erected in the area to tackle the issue of the lack of youth employment. AFC Candidate for Daimond Place/Golden Grove LAA, Alison Mohamed was also present at the meeting; she spoke of the need for better management of finances within her Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

“There are overgrown parapets, the roads are horrible, taxis don’t want to take you in, and I don’t blame them. The playgrounds, for the past 15 years those playgrounds have not been developed,” Mohamed explained. “I think it’s time that residents themselves take responsibility for the community that we’re in and we need to hold the people accountantable. We are the largest NDC, the one that brings in the most money and yet still we can’t get roads. So I’m happy I’m a part of this process.” The AFC was scheduled to have a rally at the Stabroek Market Square later Friday evening, where more of their candidates were expected to speak about their plans for their varying constituencies.