– ahead of confidence vote on Friday

THE Guyana Action Party (GAP) has thrown its support behind the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government ahead of Friday’s debate on the No-Confidence Motion brought against the government by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

On Wednesday, GAP expressed its confidence in the APNU+AFC government, noting that the motion before the National Assembly forms part of a “naked and futile quest for power” by the PPP/C.
“It is sad to note that the PPP/C became emboldened to make this challenge when His Excellency President David Granger became ill,” the political party said.
Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo had submitted the motion to Parliament Office in mid-November, shortly after it was announced that President Granger was suffering from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; this is a type of cancer and would require constant treatment abroad.

GAP said it was the vision of the President that put the hinterland of Guyana on equal footing with the coastal areas and the President ought to be applauded.
“We are pleased that in a short period of three years that we have been blessed with radio stations in Lethem, Aishalton, Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Orealla. This has brought about a positive wave of true democracy.

“Today, we not only know what is happening in Guyana and the world at large, but we feel that we are now interwoven into the Guyanese fabric,” GAP said in a statement.
Through the Hinterland Entrepreneurial Youth Services (HEYS), the party testified that youths have been afforded life-improvement opportunities. “Many of them now manage their own businesses. We are pleased that further assistance has been given to them in this year’s national budget,” the statement said.

The party also expressed satisfaction with the increase in Old Age Pension which is earmarked for senior citizens. From January 1, 2019, Old Age Pension will be increased from $19,500 to $20,500, making it the fourth increase in Old Age Pension under the APNU+AFC administration since 2015. In 2015, Old Age Pension was $13,125; however, it has been gradually increased over the last four budgets by 55 per cent.
In throwing its support behind the APNU+AFC administration, GAP also took note of the fact that Indigenous peoples are playing a more active role in the affairs of the nation.

MERITOCRACY
“Our toshaos are now elected on the pillar of meritocracy and not on their affiliation to any political party. Our National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) is executing its mandate without undue interference by others. The NTC’s annual conference is managed by the elected leaders and supported by the government,” the party pointed out.

The constitutional holding of Local Government Elections via a fair and transparent process, and the establishment of capital towns have given rise to a new wave of development and independence, GAP said, as it praised the work of the administration.
“Now we can elect our leaders to represent and serve us. With the formation of hinterland towns, a burst of development has begun. Hinterland roads are being improved, Lethem is about to get a four-lane asphaltic road, services such as the acquisition of passports and birth certificates will soon be available to us in the hinterland with the construction of offices to deliver these services,” it pointed out.

From all indications, the party said, transformational projects are on the horizon. Some of these include a highway from Linden to Lethem; a bridge over the Essequibo River at the Fairview Crossing. The Lethem airstrip will soon be developed into a modern airport and a modern abattoir is also in the pipeline. GAP is optimistic that these developments will create jobs and opportunities for the present and future generations.

“With 2020 and the coming of oil, we need APNU+AFC under the stewardship of President David Granger to continue to preside, so as to allow all of Guyana- including the hinterland–to continue progressing. Guyana is on an exciting road to becoming a positive model for others to emulate. There certainly is a good life for us on the horizon.

“Within three years the APNU+AFC government has accomplished more positive developments than the PPP in its 23 years in government,” GAP said as it registered its support.

On Tuesday, Cultural Activist Barrington Braithwaite dubbed the move by the PPP/C as “twisted” and “sinister.”