VICE-CHAIRMAN of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Vishnu Samaroo, has accused the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)  and the Alliance For Change (AFC) of stopping development in the country.

In an address to hundreds of Amerindians at the first Heritage Day celebration at St. Monica, last Friday, he charged that the two parties, in their drive to undermine development, have stopped Guyana’s biggest scheme in history, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project.
According to Samaroo, the venture would have especially  boosted industries countrywide and created thousands of jobs for Guyanese.
He told the Amerindian community, which is located some 45 miles from Charity along the Upper Pomeroon River, that the two Opposition parties used their one-seat majority in the National Assembly to defeat the Hydro Power Electricity Bill.
Samaroo also informed Amerindians that APNU and AFC voted against the Specialty Hospital, that would have
provided services of exceptionally high quality to every Guyanese; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the Marriott Hotel.
The Vice-Chairman said the opposition parties also cut the national budget in their drive to stop development and suffer the Guyanese people.

DARK DAYS
He said APNU is the same People’s National Congress (PNC) that destroyed the country during the dark days of Guyana, declaring they are like wolves in sheep clothing, who are bent on stopping the country from developing.
Speaking about future national elections, Samaroo warned that Amerindians must never vote for the two parties that, he alleged, are using their one-seat majority in Parliament to stop development.
He recalled that it was the late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who put aside the month of September for Amerindians to celebrate their culture.
Samaroo said, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, Amerindians across the country have benefited significantly.
He cited education, solar electricity, new schools, health centres and agricultural schemes as examples of which Amerindians should be proud.
Samaroo added that, today, Amerindians are integrated into the main- stream of life and many are graduating as doctors, nurses, trained school teachers, police officers, soldiers and health workers.
He challenged Amerindians to keep their culture alive, as he conveyed greetings from President Donald Ramotar.
Toshoa of the community, Mr. Kenrick Lewis, thanked the PPP/C Government for giving Amerindians one month to celebrate their culture and for developing the St Monica/ Karawab communities.
Those in attendance at the function were entertained with several dances which depicted their culture and the Toshoa and Village Council also distributed free meals and beverages to them.
Participating in the celebrations, too, were Community Development Officer for Amerindian villages in Region 2, Ms. Melrose Henry; RDC Councillors, Mr. Omesh Oditt  and Mr. Brian Persaud and staff of the Hinterland Department of the Administrative Office at Anna Regina.