THE Guyanese diaspora in Washington DC, Queens, Bronx, New Jersey and Brooklyn were on Sunday updated about Guyana’s progress towards oil production, new General and Regional Elections and a safer country.

At an event hosted by supporters of the Alliance For Change (AFC)-USA Chapter, Vice-president and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, was greeted by numerous persons at the Richi Rich Palace in Richmond Hill and the Woodbine Hall in Brooklyn.
At Richmond Hill, a full house of supporters was told of the coalition’s progress thus far and its plans to do even more in its next term in office. A release to the media stated: “Specifically, the minister brought us up to date on the status of election preparedness in the aftermath of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling. Minister Ramjattan, in great detail, explained the steps that the coalition took in approaching the CCJ court leading up to where we are now.”

Ramjattan also answered questions about the royalty in ExxonMobil’s contract, profit-sharing percentages and what the coming of oil could mean for Guyana.

“The meeting crowd of about 65 members and supporters were happy to hear about the Smart Cities Initiative where cameras were deployed in strategic areas around the country in order to deter and solve crime. Minister Ramjattan explained that crime statistics were going down as a result of the training and other initiatives being employed by his ministry with the support of the international community,” the release added.

During the event, a muster of some 15 supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) sought to disrupt the meeting by intimidating the attending guests but were kept in line by the New York City Police Department.

At the following cultural affair and variety show at the Woodbine Hall, Minister Ramjattan was enthusiastically supported by some 250 guests. “The minister, wife Seeta and entourage were welcomed with great hospitality and Minister Ramjattan was able to address the crowd of eager guests,” the release indicated.

“The AFC has once again demonstrated the multicultural character of its party, as we are able to embrace Guyanese of all ethnicities and in all locations, unlike the PPP who can only attract its traditional supporters. Whether Guyanese reside in Queens or Brooklyn, New Jersey or Washington, we do not reject them because of their ethnicity.”