THE three-month-old President Irfaan Ali-led administration is being lauded countrywide for its hands-on, people-friendly and aggressive advancement in social development. The poverty-alleviation projects, preluding a poverty elimination targeted for within a five-year duration, is gaining traction and trust within the national psyche, with rare exceptions.

In 1992 Dr. Cheddi Jagan began, and successive administrations led by the party he founded, along with its partners in civil society – PPP/C, governing with adherence to the credo: “Development with a human face.”

At a press conference last Friday Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo observed that while PPP/C administrations govern with a people-friendly approach, the community outreaches of the former PNC-led coalition government functionaries, with huge entourages travelling and being accommodated at taxpayers’ expense, were mere public relations stunts with no significant benefits accruing to the people.

Dr. Jagdeo averred that when the first 100 days’ performance is assessed, consideration should be given to the fact that, because of lack of funding, only routine government functions such as drug procurement and payment of pensions and salaries were possible. A fully functional government only came into effect when the Appropriation Bill was passed, which was approximately 40 days ago. Despite the constraints and challenges, the Vice-President gave the assurance that many changes in government have been, and continue to be made to ensure that the administrative machinery continues to function at higher efficiency, expeditiously, and with more care in service-provision. He iterated that, although developmental projects and programmes are being planned and devised, these are routine and not apparently visible to the general public; but he assured that these engagements are continuing in a major way through the entire governmental construct, leading to ministers and government functionaries making changes in the way government interacts with people.

He noted the real paradigm shift in people interaction and representation by ministers and other functionaries of the Ali-led Government, and referenced the style of management, which he described as aloof, of the PNC-led coalition government.

The results are tangible and the people are greatly appreciative, as evidenced by remarks made by leaders in the private sector and members of the public
“I think the President has done very well on his first 100 days in office; what they have set out in their Manifesto they have started to work on and I am happy with how they went about trying to improve things,” said Nicholas Boyer Deygoo, Chairman, Private Sector Commission (PSC)

Ramesh Persaud, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Private Enterprise Development, also added his voice, saying thusly:

“I believe that the government has started off very well. We are happy about the progress made in achieving the promises they made. We are very happy about the measures that came out in the Emergency Budget and we are happy to see the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector. We are happy to see the social measures that were given to increase the spending power of the individuals by thinking about the $25,000.00 cash grant, the restoration of the school grants and so forth; and the various tax measures and the reversal of fees. We believe that many of these things would be beneficial to everyone.”
Dr. Grayson Halley, Veterinarian and CEO, GLDA also chipped in.

“We have a three-month budget and with capital items alone, we saw $58,5M going into capital start for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). That is significant. We are on the right track and the PPP/C Government is certainly doing the right thing and making the right moves. I would say to this government, don’t stop at all because the people are feeling the changes. Their lives are being transformed. We are breathing a sigh of relief and it has just been a couple of months. We know there are challenges, things that we need to solve, but they are trying very aggressively to bring about that change. You can see it. Never before have we seen, in such a short period of time, so much progress. That is what we need: a government that is caring enough to be on the ground, listening to the people, doing what the people need, and still take the macroeconomic things in hand. I am looking forward to betterment,” he said.

These are just a few of the many positive voices.
“Well, let me say that the previous government didn’t do much, but I think this government has done a lot since it came into office. I welcome the increase in the Old Age Pension and I already have plans for it. I want to see a little bit more of Guyana, so I am going to use it to do that. It would be so nice, not just for me, but for all the pensioners who are going to benefit. The COVID-19 cash grant is also great. It is wonderful,” said Lily Beharry, a pensioner, who has witnessed a positive change in life over the past three months.

Guyanese are recognising that they can hope and once again dream of “the good life” because of the visionary and caring leadership of the Irfaan Ali-led administration.