…parties say successes numerous, impressive
…reaffirm commitment ahead of no-confidence motion

ITS impressive track record over the past three years makes the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government a force to reckon with even with a pending no-confidence motion filed against it.

“The coalition government has restored Guyana’s credibility in the world, protected our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure that there is an independent judiciary, an autonomous Parliament and other constitutional agencies such as GECOM which are all guaranteed full financial independence,” it said in a statement on Tuesday night.

At its Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the coalition government re-affirmed its patriotic commitment to Guyana, and strengthened its resolve to realise the good life for all.

While admitting there were challenges and a few miss-steps, the government said its success cannot be understated.

It was under the current administration that local democracy was restored. Local Government Elections were held in March 2016 after 22 years. The government in November 2018 recorded history for second time when Local Government Elections were held as required by the constitution. For over two decades, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – the mover of the motion – failed to hold the elections, and reduced many of the town councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to Interim Management Committees (IMCs) with handpicked leaders.
Additionally, under the Coalition Government, national defence and security have been high on its agenda and resulting in a marked reduction in serious crimes.

“Our coalition has promoted social security and lifted the image of our indigenous peoples as Guyanese citizens, enjoying equal rights and opportunities. Our government has upheld multi-cultural cooperation and facilitated social cohesion.

There have been, during the three and a half years of the Coalition Government, the disappearance and complete suppression of acts of torture, extra-judicial killings, summary executions, and the existence, with impunity, of death squads and drug gangs which had stalked the land under the PPP administration,” the APNU+AFC pointed out as it builds its case ahead of Friday’s debate.

The coalition government said there has also been a marked reduction in corruption under its stewardship of the country, which has resulted in the restoration of confidence in public offices.
“We combatted rampant, pervasive corruption among persons holding public offices, reconstituted the Integrity Commission and appointed a Public Procurement Commission to handle state procurement,” it posited.

Significant successes were also recorded in the areas of education, health, agriculture and public infrastructure, the government said, as it pointed to the fact that pass rates in a number of subject areas have improved.

“We have maintained free access to reliable public healthcare and provided safe, potable water even to hinterland communities. We ensured low and reasonable tolls across the Demerara and Berbice river bridges.

Our coalition undertook the completion of West Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara highways and delivered five pedestrian overpasses and a major roundabout,” it further pointed out.

The expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the upgrading of hinterland aerodromes, and airstrips have contributed to the improved confidence in the airline industry.

“We have worked on securing better and more markets for rice along with launching more seed paddy varieties for farmers who also benefit from several new, high capacity pumps and access to fertilisers.

“We have delivered 132 ICT Hubs and six, world class regional radio stations in Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia, Orealla, Lethem and Aishalton. Guyana can now boast of having a truly national public information network that links the Coastland and the hinterland.

Our people all across Guyana have free access to the internet and are connected and communicating with persons all over the world,” the government added as it alluded to its achievements over the past three years.

It noted too that Georgetown, the garden city which was covered in garbage prior to 2015, has been restored. “It is cleaner and more beautiful, and not cluttered with garbage and no longer prone to chronic, pervasive flooding,” the government said.

Reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) was among its campaign promises in the lead up to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, and once in office, the coalition government made good on its promise to the people of Guyana. Today, VAT which was 16 per cent under the PPP is now 14 per cent but the government said it has done much more to relieve Guyanese of their financial burdens.

“VAT has been reduced, public servants salaries increased by 63 per cent, the tax threshold lifted to $780,000 annually while personal income tax has been reduced. The business community has been incrementally expanding and launching new ventures which demonstrate confidence in the economy, the prudent management of the national affairs and future prospects.”

“Working people who still carry the burden of past neglect and starvation wages are better off under this coalition government and have every reason to be hopeful that their lot would further improved in the near future,” it explained.

Even with the closure of some estates, and the right-sizing of GuySuCo, the jobs of 10,000 sugar workers have been protected and production at only three estates has netted, so far, 105,000 tonnes of sugar for 2018, the government boasted. According to APNU+AFC, it has rescued the sugar industry from collapse.
“Guyanese have every reason to feel and believe that their country finally is in clean and safe hands and the coalition government urges all, both here and in the diaspora, to rally around their government.”

“We also urge all patriotic Guyanese and their organisations to let their voices be heard: ‘No’ to the motion! ‘Yes’ to confidence!”
Against this background, the coalition government is certain that the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo will be resoundingly and comprehensively defeated in the National Assembly on Friday.