-Foreign Affairs Minister
WITH the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) standing as a bulwark against attempts by detractors of development, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd says the party is the only one that has ever been committed to the Guyanese people.

He made these remarks during his speech at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, East Berbice-Corentyne, last Sunday when he joined hundreds of people to pay tribute to the founding leader of the PPP/C, Dr Cheddi Jagan.
Labelling Dr Jagan as “committed” and “selfless,” the Foreign Minister pointed out how the founding leader paved the way for Guyana’s development.

Todd said that Dr Jagan was a “stalwart who gave his entire life to the service of this country” and was dedicated to uplifting every citizen regardless of their ethnicity, level of education, social status or where they resided.

“He united this country. He fought against imperialism,” the Foreign Minister said.
According to reports, Dr Jagan’s lineage bore a rich heritage from India. He was born on March 22, 1918, in the Dutch county of Berbice, into a family of sugar workers in the much-loved village of Port Mourant.

Dr Jagan rose from poverty to president in a nation that was rich in natural resources, exploited by colonialism, plagued by slavery and indentureship, compounded with economic disadvantages, divided by racism, infused with class discrimination, permeated by cultural suppression, among other oppressions.

According to Minister Todd, Dr Jagan’s commitment to Guyana resulted in him not only being respected in local and regional communities but also internationally.
“His legacy remains intact,” the minister said.

He then went on to say: “When you fast forward several decades, this political party… your People’s Progressive Party/Civic has remained true to the values and principles of the founding father of the only political party that has ever been committed to the people of this country.”

According to Todd, the PPP/C’s founding leader was the one who pointed out that development is “people-centred, people-driven, and people-focused” rather than just rooted in foreign investments and capital.

“He taught us that we should invest in our human resources, building human capital with the requisite skills to move a Guyana that is independent, free and committed to the development of every single Guyanese,” Todd firmly remarked.
He continued by applauding President Dr. Irfaan Ali for his outstanding leadership, which has put Guyana on the fast track of progress.

“…With continuity with His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, he is now leading the first industrial revolution of this country, remaining true to the values and principles of the founding father of this political party and I dare say, the father of this nation,” he stated.

Todd further remarked: “And we’re here today [last Sunday] united, committed and fully organised to continue to move forward, forgetting about all the distractions, the naysayers… we can show the world, we can show the rest of the country, that we are the only political party that can unite this nation and take this nation forward.”
“Let us continue to remain resolute, let us continue to remain focused,” the Foreign Minister urged the mammoth crowd.