…APNU+AFC urges servicemen

THE A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has affirmed itself as the best party from which there is a fit Commander in Chief to manage the security of the country and the well-being of the disciplined services.

At a press conference at the party’s headquarters on Thursday, Retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Edward Collins, was one of the most recent former members of the Force to appeal to the joint services to place their votes with the coalition government today. He underscored to the men and women that the elections at hand will determine which government manages Guyana’s future resources and how these will be allocated in the best interest of Guyanese.

“I am requesting from the members of the joint services their vote for the coalition,” he said. “It’s a decisive day; a day when you will decide on who you want to be your Commander in Chief. Who you want to manage the proceeds from your oil resources…that decision begins with you and how you cast your ballot would be necessary to determine the path this dear land of Guyana will be going for the next five years.”

Reminding the joint services of why they should vote for the current Administration, Collins said that the GDF is no longer plagued by limited and unserviceable resources; also, more ranks have been professionally trained and their salaries have been increased to the same level of public servants.

While the Opposition has promised a return of the annual one-month bonus, he stated that such would rob the law enforcement officials of a larger pension when one considers the government’s strategic move to raise their salaries. The former Chief of Staff also pointed out that the GDF is equipped with better quality protective gear; better allowances and are now under better leadership. He said that no amount of propaganda or promises from the coalition’s main contender can change the facts.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security and APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan, urged the joint services to vote for the David Granger-led coalition which is the only party equipped to take care of the country’s national interest and sovereignty.

He said that the disciplined services have every good reason to vote the government back into office as they now have increased access to training; the advancement of gender equality and the removal of officers compromised by corruption. The Minister said that over the past four and a half years the current Administration has also worked to incorporate the use of technology in fighting crime; collaborated with international orgnisations for improved management; increased salaries by 20 per cent for the police force and army and rehabilitated police stations.
One of the main plans of the government moving forward is to ensure that each member of the disciplined service can own their own home for an improved quality of life.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan said that he has pushed for the marine unit of the police force to get the additional boats they require in the 2020 budget. Similar plans are being put in place for the GDF’s aviation unit. “With all that has been done over the years that we have been in government, you make the comparison, you make the contrast. Our Administration has been far superior,” he said. “Colleagues, cadet officers, members of the disciplined force, this is what we have done over the four years; this is what we’ll continue to do.”