–President assures nation
–plans to meet with past Presidents to begin ‘healing process’

PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali has stated that Guyanese can look forward to the fulfillment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s Manifesto and a comprehensive overview of the governance structure which has been criticised by the international community for its “winner-take-all” approach.

He relayed these sentiments in an interview with the Newsroom on Monday. The President said that, immediately, his government will get down to fulfilling the promises within its Manifesto which will guarantee Guyanese a better life.

“We’re very committed to the Manifesto we presented to the people of Guyana. We were elected based on that Manifesto, and, of course, we are committed to a comprehensive overview of the governance structure to have a greater level of inclusiveness,” President Ali said. “We are committed to building a Guyana in which all Guyanese can see themselves as part of the future and that requires a national development pathway,” he added.

The PPP/C’s 2020-2025 Manifesto has promised development across sectors in Guyana. One of the key areas include the creation of 50,000 jobs in the next five years through initiatives such as increasing the ease in doing business; providing incentives for small businesses and young entrepreneurs; reversing Value Added Tax (VAT) on exports, building materials, land rents, data and more; promoting skills training; improving access to financing for investments; and incentivising employers to promote youth empowerment among other measures.

The Party has also pledged to provide free education at the University of Guyana (UG) within five years; to create 10,000 house lots annually; to fight crime with greater investment; to represent society’s vulnerable, and to approach the management of the oil-and-gas sector in a non-partisan manner.

Added to this are plans for the modernising and expansion of Guyana’s infrastructure in the areas of transport; utilities; sea and river defence as well as improvements to drainage; garbage collection and sanitation; health and education.

IMMEDIATE PLANS

Speaking on his government’s immediate plans, the President told the Newsroom: “It is about implementation of the Manifesto; it’s about ensuring the promises; that contract made with the people; that we fulfill that contract.”

However, even as the PPP/C hopes to turn Guyana’s tide as an oil-producing nation towards greater development, the Head of State said that the government must also give ample attention to the COVID-19 pandemic which has changed the country over the last six months.

Only on Monday he met with members of the National COVID-19 Task Force along with his Transition Team, to be briefed on where Guyana stands; what are the current strategies involved; and what can be improved.

He said that the pandemic has also affected the country’s economy, which is why he has also met with the local business community to better understand their challenges.

“All of these factors we have to now put into the equation, so as to have a full and comprehensive assessment as to where the country is; where our economy is, as we move forward towards implementing our agenda for development, growth and progress,” he said, adding:

“Our country has been in an inactive state for quite some time, so we’re required to move rapidly forward. And that is why the transition is important and the Transition Team is important.”

The Transition Team is headed by Vice- President, Bharrat Jagdeo and includes Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Attorney- General Anil Nandall; and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

Together they will be engaging with members of the former government in the coming weeks to facilitate the sharing of information for a smooth transition.

On the matter of changing the current governance structure, President Ali said that he soon plans to meet with all those former presidents of the country that are still alive to speak on a way forward which incorporates their collective views.

“I would like to sit down with all the former Presidents of our country to have a quick conversation on a common agenda; a quick conversation as to where our country should go, and a quick conversation to speed up the healing process of our country. That’s very important,” he said.

The President and his government also intend to meet continuously with other political parties and stakeholders of civil society and the private sector. He stated: “It has to be a conversation that commences immediately, and one that continues throughout my presidency and throughout the life of the next government.”

He noted further that these conversations must be people-centered, and should clear up possible misconceptions of the trajectory of the country.