– cites tangible progress in East Bank Berbice

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

FORMER Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian, Reynard Ward, has endorsed President Dr Irfaan Ali, for a second term, aligning himself with the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

During a meeting held on the East Bank of Berbice, his home ground, on Tuesday afternoon, he distanced himself from the AFC and told the gathering that the choice in the upcoming September 1 elections is “clear” as he explained that the PPP/C has proven itself worthy of a second term.
“I resigned from the AFC after seeing what the leadership and the trend the leadership took. I stayed out of politics for a number of years and come this elections, the choice is clear, the choice that I have made, that you are making, that 90 % of Guyanese will make come elections day and it is clear because of the work that President Irfaan Ali and his team, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and his ministers and all the supporters would have done for this country,” he declared.

Pointing directly to the extensive transformation that has taken place on the East Bank of Berbice under the PPP/C administration, Ward praised the current government for delivering development that had been long overdue.

Narrowing his focus to one of the most pressing infrastructural issues in the area, Ward acknowledged, “I always stood and fought about the condition of the road, but now I cannot say anything because they would have done tremendous work on the East Bank of Berbice.”

He added that the road leading to Mara, once a major concern for residents, is now significantly improved.
“Some parts are paved; some parts have crusher run, and some parts are being prepared for the continuous development. That, my friends, are what development and progress is about and that is what the PPP is about.”

But Ward noted that it was not only about roads, but it was also about the government’s comprehensive support for agriculture, the mainstay of livelihoods in the area.
As such, he emphasised that major investments have been made to strengthen this critical sector.
“You can see the progress, not only on roads, but also in infrastructure, the drainage and irrigation, agriculture is our main source of income on the East Bank of Berbice, and the PPP government would have invested billions.”

Ward did not shy away from contrasting the current administration with his former party, pointing out the lack of responsiveness he faced while advocating for farmers under the APNU+AFC coalition.
He said that numerous times he requested assistance for farmers within his area from the Minister of Agriculture under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), whilst in government, but it all fell on deaf ears.

However, he explained that this changed under the PPP/C, as Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha responded immediately to the needs of the people.
“From day one, they started to do what the people were asking for, and that is assistance, help them make their livelihoods better.”
Ward went on to highlight that the PPP/C’s interventions were inclusive and far-reaching, as he explained that, “Thousands of acres of land were cleared through the PPP/C administration, and not only for one set of people, not only for one colour of people, not only for one texture but every single farmer.”
He then told the residents gathered that they have a government to be proud of, the PPP/C government.

“The inputs that will be made in the future… There are massive plans for the East Bank of Berbice. All these lands that we have here will be put under production. The plans that you will see in the manifesto with the economic programmes to help the development of agriculture will assist us,” he told the meeting.

However, Ward urged, “Don’t be carried away by the wind that is blowing, telling you ‘We gon give you something.’ You need to look around and see which party or group of people have your interest, and which group of people can help you. As far as I can see, it is the PPP who can help us on the East Bank of Berbice and has been doing so for the last five years.”
According to him, from on-the-ground reports, it is clear that the East Bank of Berbice, come September 1, is voting for the PPP/C.

“With all of that and more, I stand here to endorse President Irfaan Ali and his team for the next five years leading Guyana forward, together forever, one Guyana,” Ward said. >>>