Dear Editor,
I write to comment on the progress the PPP/C Government has made after being victorious in 2020 National and Regional Elections.

After the APNU+AFC tried arduously to hijack the election in the most barefaced manner in the presence of the ABC countries and the world at large, they attempted to reverse democracy by trying to deny the PPP/C their rightful place as the new democratically elected government. But glory be to God who has the final say.

As Guyanese, we all know the political history of Guyana since from the early 50s. From the 1964 national elections to 1985 national elections, including the referendum, the PNC cannot honestly say they won a national election because all were rigged in their favour because of the PPP ideological belief.

In extension, the PNC never really won a national election until 2015 when the APNU+AFC won the national elections by a very small margin. So after a summary of the APNU+AFC in government for five years, all I see is that they were ‘a lazy government’ just creating and raising taxes, by so doing, bringing real hardship on Guyanese. They just sit back raising taxes and waiting on oil to flow, at the same time ensuring that Cabinet salaries ‘early O’clock’ were increased with a senior member in government saying that will stop them from being corrupt (ridiculous indeed). As a senior citizen I walked the streets of Georgetown during APNU+AFC time in office just to see the many youths of all races just walking with their degrees from the University of Guyana in envelopes and cannot find employment, the dozens that I spoke with. What a sad thing. Also what was sad and heart rending was when the Granger Administration sent packing some 7,000 sugar workers without finding a solution, or having no contingency plan for those thousands of families. In my opinion, it was more of a racial and political act. To me that was indeed inhuman. I am saying this because directly and indirectly it affected me by having a wife, 16 children, 34 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. But God has been good to us, he always make a way, where there seems to be no way.

Now looking at the PPP/C government track record for just over two years and that is why I say “Go PPP/C, just do it”. From day one, I admire the comprehensive plan that is being carried out by our youthful President, Dr. Ifraan Ali and his PPP/C Government.

Every Guyanese can see the PPP/C developmental plan in the way they pattern the annual budgetary allocations. They have a good policy that will surely create a way for job opportunities for the youths especially, and all Guyanese. We can all see clearly the PPP/C Government systematic approach that is designed for the growth of Guyana and Guyanese. “Go PPP/C go, just do it”. APNU+AFC introduced VAT on water and electricity, on education, on medical, on school supplies, on construction and equipment. They took away the cash grant of $10,000 from the school children and parents. Construction and job opportunities were scarce. Yes, we all would agree that those tax burdens affected every Guyanese in every way, in every family. Now look at the social support programmes of the PPP/C Government. Right up front, the reintroduction of the “Because We Care” initiative from $10,000 to $30,000. This, I understand cost the government some $6 billion that Guyanese received as parents or guardians of about 194,000 school children, irrespective of the area or where you live, all received the cash grant. “Go PPP/C go, just do it”. During APNU+AFC tenure, we had to pay VAT on water and electricity, now Guyanese enjoy VAT-free on water and electricity. Look at the COVID-19 cash-grant relief initiative which benefitted every Guyanese family in all the regions of Guyana. That was indeed a massive outreach by the PPP/C Government just because they recognised the financial hardship during the COVID-19 period. “Go PPP/C go, just do it”. Look at the massive housing drive which was stagnant during the APNU+AFC time. Instantly, the PPP/C started to distribute house lots to Guyanese in which I understand that over 10,000 house lots have been given out to Guyanese of all walks of life. Senior citizen pension went up and I understand that when we would uplift our pension books for 2023 shortly, this will be in company with a cash grant of $28,000 for pensioners. “Go PPP go, just do it”. Finally, in closing, kudos to a government that is for the people, by the people, and with the people for the way in which they do their best to maintain financial stability by promoting financial inclusion throughout the nation. Even the IMF recognised and commended you for such smart financial strategy or competency. “Go PPP/C go, just do it”.

Your sincerely,
Leon Rampersaud