OPPORTUNISTS take advantage of any situation that occurs in order to gain money or power. Opportunists could care less about the morality of their actions. Political opportunists are only concerned with furthering their own interests and not that of the people or country. These new “pop up” political parties are the euphemism of political opportunism, as everyone wants to cash-in, especially with Guyana’s new oil- and-gas industry.

This new industry provides a promising future for all Guyanese, and will provide much-needed development for this once impoverished resource-rich nation.
We have seen political opportunism at its peak for 23 years, where the PPPC’s focus was on the enrichment of Jagdeo’s chosen few. Jagdeo’s chosen few were empowered politically, financially and some allegedly through facilitated nefarious means. They were able to influence the direction of the country, even though their interests were the total opposite of the majority of Guyanese and the country as a whole.

Mr. Editor, it was under the leadership and collective support of the vision of His Excellency David Granger of the APNU+AFC administration that this country made a 180 degree turn, and was placed back on the right course to achieving a prosperous Guyana for the betterment of all Guyanese.

The rebirth of real democracy and freedom of expression under the David Granger-led administration has excited many, and apparently misdirected others. The new political parties are formed in an unrestrained pursuit of selfishness for power and influence. As wild bushes, they spring up without a well manured soil, no solid foundation or political ideology, and they are destined to fail and will not make any roadways in this political landscape, simply because they are motivated by self-interest. Their rhetoric is nothing new, and they present nothing fresh; no new ideas or initiatives.

These political opportunists will not attract the movers and shakers; influencers and leaders in our society. One such example is A New United Guyana (ANUG) which wasted an entire trip to Linden to launch its Linden Office to an audience of less than ten people, including the presidential candidate, Ralph Ramkarran.

ANUG must know that Lindeners have long memories, and will not be hoodwinked and bamboozled by no conversation he starts; we will not fall victims to empty promises and sugar-coated speeches. Where was ANUG or Ralph Ramkarran when Lindeners were being shot for peacefully protesting new electricity costs? When budget cuts for Region Ten were being passed while he sat in the chair as Speaker of the House for his PPP party and did nothing. Why did ANUG even waste their trip? No amount of babble will shift this rock of support, Linden/Region Ten for David Granger.

The head of the citizen’s initiative, who was a former PPP president’s protégé has been known to criticise everything that the government has done. I often wondered if he was unaware of the various salary increases received by public servants that they never received under the PPP party he voted for and supported.

Is he aware of the 62% increase in the old age pension; the fact that gold smuggling and the drug trade has been curtailed; that roads and bridges were being repaired and built non-stop; that people are now getting caught with cocaine and being found guilty, something that never happened during the PPP administration; that all types of crimes are being solved; our improvement on the Corruption Perception Index; the governments care for schoolchildren; the 5 Bs initiative (by providing books, bags, bicycles, buses, boats and breakfast); the First Lady’s unquenchable passion for training students in STEM, robotics, skilled training for teenage mothers, single mother and the now unprecedented freedom of speech that we have experienced from May 2015 to present, just to name a few.

In retrospect, this political opportunist did see all of the progress, but, of course, he had his own selfish agenda, which has nothing to do with elevating the Guyanese people. So, just like Bharrat Jagdeo, he complained about everything under the sun, with less fanfair and flow.

While people are free to form their own political parties and associate with whomever they wish, they lose credibility with the populace, as their motives are clearly dishonourable, and the people will not be fooled. The Guyanese people have never seen or experienced any goodness of philanthropy from these men after all of these years. Where was the initiative? Why only now it’s fitting to avail yourself and party to serve Guyana? Is it only regional and national elections that can tickle your fancy? We had two local government elections; why weren’t you available then? I guess the time is now oil.

The people can attest that myself and other APNU+AFC politicians have risked our lives for the freedom of speech and prosperity that exists today, and for all of the progress and accountability that we are now experiencing. Attorney-at-Law and PNCR member James Bond and his wife has worked tirelessly with youths from Tiger Bay and other areas of Georgetown that the PPPC had abandoned.

Christopher Jones, the Director of Sports, who currently stands out as a sports icon of our time and has done a tremendous job of transforming our local sports industry, can be seen regularly cleaning drains and sweeping the roads in the Tucville community. As the country’s representative of the NGO, Caring For Others, I have sought out youths, women, men, the elderly and kids from all parts of Region Ten, and have consistently presented them with new shoes, bags, clothing, computers, toys, and many others things.

I don’t get paid for this, but the people have seen my love for them. Ms. Simona Broomes, the People’s Champion, from Day One, has sought out abused and trafficked women, forgotten youths, DJs, bikers and youths from every corner and ghetto of Guyana who the PPPC forgot. Mr. Sydney Allicock, Ms. Valerie Garido-Lowe and Ms. Dawn Hastings have worked tirelessly among our Amerindian brothers and sisters. Joseph Harmon has made personal contributions to countless schools, community centres, and neighbourhoods across this country. Note that these are just a few examples.

All those aspirants and so-called leaders of these “pop up” parties, can you please tell us what you did for the Guyanese people, and more specifically, the youths in the past four years? Leaders are people that we can emulate, and have led beyond rhetoric. Their actions inform the masses about the content of their character and truest intentions.
The misdirected desire for money, perceived power and position will cause people who lack integrity to act like the man who said ‘Yes, yes, yes’ on December 21, 2018, while betraying the Guyanese people. President David Granger’s character, integrity, vision, clean hands, and his best intentions for all of Guyana makes him and his new team best suited and equipped to continue leading Guyana.

Regards,
Jermaine Figueira
Member of Parliament