–tells Corentyne crowd that party will never abandon sugar workers

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s unwavering commitment to Guyana’s sugar industry, promising that the sector will continue to survive and thrive under its watch.

Addressing a gathering of supporters outside Veerasammy Ramayya’s residence in Whim, Corentyne, Mustapha declared, “Sugar under the PPP/C government will always survive, and we will always ensure we keep it afloat.” He stressed that the sugar industry is not just an economic pillar, but a vital part of Guyanese communities and livelihoods.

Mustapha reminded supporters of the hardships endured when the previous APNU+AFC government shut down four sugar estates, putting 7,500 sugar workers out of jobs overnight. “They closed down four sugar estates; people worked and went home, and the next day they took a white paper and said they can’t keep these factories anymore,” he said.

He described the closures as a calculated political move designed to target the PPP/C’s traditional support base. “They said sugar cannot survive. If they had a chance to go back into government in 2020, the other three estates would have been closed too, because they feel the majority of people working in the sugar industry are supporters of the PPP/C,” Mustapha charged.
He urged supporters never to forget those challenges, calling on party activists to stay vigilant and mobilise ahead of the September 1 local government elections. “We must never forget these

things,” he warned, while encouraging supporters to go door-to-door to ensure every vote is cast. “This cannot happen by wishful thinking; everyone must play a part.”
Pointing to the PPP/C’s record, Mustapha argued that the country has already seen what the party can deliver. “From 1992 to 2015, we have seen our country transformed, development taking place in every sector,” he told the gathering.

He contrasted this with what he described as broken promises by the former APNU+AFC administration, recalling that Moses Nagamootoo once stood at the same Whim venue and promised sugar workers a 20% wage increase, and rice farmers $9,000 per bag of paddy; promises that never materialised.

“This is the kind of legacy they have, and they are coming again and trying to get back into government… We must never allow ever again any other party; APNU+AFC and the other parties to see the light of government. We must always vote solidly for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic,” Mustapha declared to loud applause.

He listed the PPP/C’s delivery on Manifesto promises as evidence of credible leadership. “For the first time in our country’s history we have seen all the promises in our Manifesto delivered to the people of the country. We said we would double old age pension; we did it. We did not only restart the school cash grant, we extended it to private schools and increased it.”

He highlighted that more than 40,000 people have found work since the PPP/C returned to office, with the reopening of the Rose Hall Estate breathing new life into the Canje community.
Infrastructure development has also surged under the government, with Mustapha reporting thousands of roads and bridges built and rehabilitated across Region Six alone. “We are not only building roads, we are not only building bridges, we are not only building schools and hospitals, but we are increasing people’s disposable income too,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mustapha noted that 25,000 acres of land will soon be opened for agriculture in the region, with an all-weather road being constructed at Molsen Creek to expand farming access.

He said that under the PPP/C government, workers began receiving salary increases again and that over $60 billion has been invested in rebuilding the sugar industry over the last five years.
“We are building back the various sectors in our country,” Mustapha asserted, adding that agricultural production has rebounded strongly since the previous government’s attempts to dismantle the sugar sector.

As the rally came to an end, Mustapha urged supporters to remain clear-eyed when the opposition makes fresh promises. “When they come to you and promise you the moon and the stars, you have to give them the facts… The only party that has your interest at heart is the People’s Progressive Party,” he told the crowd.
He praised the return of Veerasammy Ramayya to the PPP/C fold, calling it another sign of growing support for the governing party.

Meanwhile, other speakers, including regional candidate Trudy Sinclair and national candidate Sufena Supaul, echoed Mustapha’s message, highlighting the PPP/C’s delivery of tax relief, social support, and jobs compared to what they described as burdensome taxes and broken promises under the APNU+AFC.
Mustapha closed by calling on every party activist to take the PPP/C’s message house to house ahead of the polls: “This is only the first term for us under President Irfaan Ali. So imagine what a second will be like.”

He concluded firmly: “There is only one leader fit to lead Guyana — President Irfaan Ali — because when you look at them [the opposition] they are not making any sense… We as a people must never forget what they did.”

Meanwhile, Sufena Supaul, a national candidate on the PPP/C list, described herself as a “politically conscious” young person. She expressed her dismay at the previous administration’s imposition of over 200 taxes and the removal of cash grants. “On our citizens and took away our cash grants.” She contrasted this with the PPP/C’s actions upon returning to office. “The PPP/C gained office in 2020 and reversed the taxes something that caught her attention.”