– tells New Forest residents of development, heritage, and future plans
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Thursday evening, continued its grassroots campaign momentum with a vibrant public meeting at New Forest, Berbice, where Attorney-at-Law and former opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, joined by Pandit Ravi and community activist Sheriann Beharry, delivered a strong message of continuity, progress, and vision for the future under the leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
The meeting, held at the residence of Pandit Ravi, drew a large turnout of residents who were reminded of New Forest’s transformation over the years. Once described as a neglected and forgotten place on the map, the community has seen renewed life under the PPP/C administration.
Chandan-Edmond recalled that during a previous outreach, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, had visited the community on behalf of President Ali and made a promise to deliver electricity and water to residents. That promise, she stressed, has since been kept.
“New Forest today is no longer abandoned,” she said. “Families are moving back into the community, new residents are building their lives here, and our children can now study in comfort with electricity in their homes while benefitting from scholarships.”
She credited these interventions with creating new opportunities and giving young people the tools to succeed. “This is what keeping promises looks like,” Chandan-Edmond told the cheering crowd.
The former MP urged residents to dream big and think big, noting that Berbice is now emerging as an economic hub with massive opportunities on the horizon. She cited the construction of a modern stadium, the planned Corentyne River Bridge linking Guyana and Suriname, and the new highway as catalysts for transformation.
“There will be opportunities for growth in every sector—hospitality, services, trade, and agriculture. Berbice will be at the heart of this economic expansion,” she declared.
Reflecting on the village’s past, Chandan-Edmond noted that under previous opposition governments, New Forest was left abandoned and its sugar lands neglected. She reminded residents that their lands are sacred, symbolising the blood, sweat, and tears of their foreparents, and strongly rejected calls for sugar lands to be used for marijuana cultivation.
“These are not just lands; they are part of our heritage and identity. We must protect them,” she emphasised.
She further compared the PPP/C’s record to that of the opposition parties, arguing that APNU is defined by “poor governance” while WIN has no proven track record. In contrast, she said, President Irfaan Ali has shown superior leadership and a commitment to deliver on promises.
“When the lights came on in New Forest, it was like Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya—this entire community lit up with life and hope,” she said, drawing applause.
In a sharp jab at Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, Chandan-Edmond described him as inexperienced and unfit to lead at such a critical time in Guyana’s development. Instead, she encouraged residents to take advantage of opportunities such as small business loans and investment initiatives.
“There is so much potential right here in New Forest and across Berbice. Together, we will move forward for a better Guyana,” she concluded.
The meeting, held under the banner “Forward Together for a Better Guyana,” ended on a note of optimism, with residents expressing confidence in the government’s ability to continue transforming their lives and communities.