Dear Editor,
AS we wind down towards election day for that big decision on September 1, I can imagine President Ali winning a second term handsomely.
I do not agree with everything the PPP does, but considering the mountains of evidence, I have to concede that the President Ali administration has been the most successful administration in Guyana’s history. Those of us who are older and lived through different regimes, do not want to see progress stopped. We do not want to see the country going backwards or go into a standstill or gridlock.
Of all the parties, the incumbent PPP have the most comprehensive manifesto, and combined with its record of multitudinous accomplishments, the experience of its cabinet, and being obsessed to accomplish items in its manifesto, I consider the PPP to be the best of the alternatives. I trust that in the second term, President Ali would reach across the aisle and create structures of collaboration with those who get into parliament.
There has been a myth peddled that the PPP focused more on infrastructure and not human development. That’s a false statement. All infrastructure is for human development, and for the benefit of people. If you want to say we need to double the minimum wage and create systems to keep elevating the working poor and the vulnerable populations, then say that. But to say the Government did not focus on people, is such a false statement.
I remember a story when early in President Ali’s term, my sister-in-law was told by the Georgetown Hospital that they do not have the expensive medicine for her cancer treatment. My wife contacted the President.
Next thing you know, my sister-in-law said she got a call from the President who told her “We would get the medicine for you.” Then she got a call from the Minister of Health saying the same thing. Where in the world would you find a President caring so much about a sick citizen? In President’s Ali’s term, we have had the most hospitals and clinics built- that’s for people.
We have had the most schools built- that’s for people. They have given out the most house lots fairly across the board for our people – many youths, young professionals, low-income families, and women. If I had received a house lot, I would be so grateful and would probably vote for the PPP, because becoming a homeowner is such a big dream of everyone. That’s a big thing.
Similarly, if I had received a GOAL scholarship, free UG, or forgiveness of hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, I would probably be so grateful and vote for the PPP too since that’s a transformational thing that can end generational poverty, and help us to prosper in life. Free education for all is a big thing. The list of the PPP’s accomplishments is long.
Our President is well respected around the world, and has a big vision for the second term. Hopefully, voters will make their wise choice considering all the abundance of positive factors of President Ali’s first term. I envisage many reforms and changes in the next term – quality, transparency, accountability, and urgent additional anti-poverty structures. Our best years are ahead of us!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall
Civil Society Advocate