-highlights billions of contracts, infrastructural development Lindeners are embracing

FRUSTRATION is boiling over in Linden as residents are growing tired of the opposition spreading racist propaganda to maintain their dwindling support, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has emphasised.

During a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, Georgetown, the General Secretary reflected on his recent visit to the mining town located in Region 10.

Over $10 billion has been earmarked to boost infrastructural development in Region 10, promising to transform communities, create jobs, and bring financial security to thousands of residents.

During a visit to Region 10 last week, the General Secretary, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice-President, was accompanied by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill for the signing of more than 700 contracts under this initiative.

Speaking about his interactions with residents, Dr Jagdeo disclosed: “They [residents] told me about the continuing racist propaganda being spread by the APNU+AFC leadership in the region. It seems as though in Region 10, we cannot get past or the leadership there cannot get past the question of race, and they are doing it quietly through a whisper campaign, and then often it gets into the public domain, where they do it overtly, unashamedly and we have been very clear that this is something that we will fight against.

“And people in Linden are turned off by this vile propaganda, and they’re disgusted by it. They’re fed up with it.”

He once again reiterated that the PPP stands as the only multiracial political party in Guyana that carries the message of development for all- regardless of their beliefs or physical appearance.

Although the governing PPP is focused on development, the Vice-President said that the attempts to foster division will not be allowed to go unchecked.

“…We are focused entirely on what we have done and what we will do in the future, and so because we have plans to that future and we know what we are about,” he said.

“We’re not going to compete with APNU on racism. Let’s leave them APNU/AFC to wallow in that,” he added.

LINDEN IS LEVELLING UP

Underscoring the billions in contracts awarded to Lindeners, including critics of the government, Dr Jagdeo reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to progress and also highlighted other developments that are taking place in the mining town.

He noted that the PPP will be sidestepping attacks on APNU+AFC’s dismal track record to spotlight its own achievements.

While highlighting how the government is not discriminating as it carries development throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, the Vice President noted that even those individuals who are highly critical of the government benefitted from contracts.

Additionally, there has been significant enhancements to the road programme, which is aimed at empowering local contractors and ensuring equal opportunities, Dr Jagdeo said.

For instance, there has been a shift in the allocation of contracts under $15 million, now determined based on standardised rates rather than competitive bidding, he pointed out.

The change prevents a concentration of contracts among a few entities, fostering broader participation, the Vice-President explained.

With the new requirements that projects within a region must be executed by contractors within the same region, this has led to hundreds of contractors from the various regions to benefit, creating economic opportunities and strengthening local capacity.

The Vice-President also highlighted the opposition’s constant nitpicking at the government’s achievements, even in spite of their bleak stint in office, from 2015-2020.