AS the 2020 General and Regional Elections are fast approaching, political parties are in the height of campaigning all across the country.

On Saturday evening, the APNU+AFC coalition at its regional level held a public meeting in the township of Bartica. This meeting saw the attendance of nearly 1000 people from Bartica and neighbouring communities such as Karrau, Kartabo, Itaballi, River’s View, Byderabo, and others.

The people heard speeches from their local leaders and youths within the party; they were also entertained by talent coming out of their communities.
The Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, spoke extensively on the importance of local democracy. He reminded the people of the growth and transformation their communities have seen since the local system was resuscitated.

“We have seen unprecedented development across the region in just four years. We would have seen a change in our environment where garbage is concerned; we would have seen a more beautiful environment. We would have seen opportunities for economic activities, and we would have seen programmes and activities designed to empower our youths.

Most importantly, two towns were established in Guyana before Guyana became an independent nation; Georgetown and New Amsterdam. After independence, three towns were established in 1970; Corriverton, Rose Hall and Linden. Anna Regina was established in 1990. After 1990, for the very first time, we had three hinterland towns in 2015, and then in 2018 Mahdia became a town. The whole concept here is that no municipality was established under the PPP from 1992 to early 2015. And that goes to show that they do not have local democracy at heart. For two decades there was no local government elections and that demonstrates how clearly the PPP is not interested in local governance,” Marshall underscored.

“This government would have demonstrated that they do have local democracy at heart, and we believe that communities are best developed when they are allowed to elect local leaders, and leaders who represent the people, who are elected by the people, and represent them in their best interest. And that’s the reason why we’re seeing developments in Region Seven. We’re seeing developments all over because the councils were elected by the people, and the councils are serving the people’s best interest. We don’t believe that the communities outside the city should be managed from a distance. We should make our own decisions,” he further lamented.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford reiterated the importance of understanding the role local governance plays in development.

Bradford said that he is the best suited person to compare and contrast, since he has been the region’s chairman for nearly 14 years.
Being chairman under PPP governance, he said that progress was heavily stifled. However, since the APNU+AFC took office in 2015, the development is one that has never been seen in the history of the region.

“I need to remind you of the progress we have seen. Development is way beyond anything we would have ever experienced. Upper, Middle and Lower Mazaruni have equal access to critical services like education, health and infrastructure. Last year we commissioned two primary schools, built doctors’ quarters to have doctors at every health outpost, teachers’ quarters and more. This year four more schools will be commissioned, including a special needs school. We are forging ahead with our development in every community. But it is an ongoing process; we want to continue, in keeping with our vision to bring critical services close to the people,” Bradford said.

He noted too that their roads have improved significantly. Just recently the road from Bartica to Mahdia was completed and Bradford said that it now takes three and a half hours to get to Mahdia, instead of seven hours, as it was before the roadways were improved.
He told this publication that the list of developments and projects that were executed is lengthy; however, the public meetings will continue to mobilise their people, and bring awareness to the many plans the government has to develop their region.

In fact, another meeting was held on Sunday evening at Four Miles Potaro Road Bartica, and more will be held during the course of this week in other communities.