Georgetown: The governing APNU+AFC coalition in a bid for reelection in office said the party has a plan that will ensure that Guyana will never be poor again.
At its election campaign launch at D’Urban Park Friday evening thousands of Coalition supporters congregated to witness performances from Farmer Nappy and Adrian Dutchin, cultural displays, and a religious performance by a gospel artiste.
The launch saw several promises being repeated, including free university education, expansion of large-scale roadworks, and bridges across all of the major rivers. It was repeatedly stated that those projects will be financed by a major source of wealth: oil production currently being undertaken by ExxonMobil and its partners, offshore Guyana.
“We have a plan for the next decade. Five years ago, you put your faith in us [and] we did not let you down. We are asking you for five more years to complete what we started,” President David Granger pleaded, which was met with roars from supporters.
The APNU Leader noted that he is a “see-far” man and with Guyana embarking on a new era of development, the coalition has established a “Decade of Development” (2020-2029) work plan.
“I’m thinking 10 years ahead because I have a vision for the good life for all Guyanese – happy households, happy families, a happy country… We are building back the economy. We have a plan… We spent five years fixing things that they broke up that is why we need five more years to develop this country,” Granger asserted.
He went on to talk about the newfound riches offshore Guyana, noting that massive transformation awaits the country.
The Head of State told supporters that he named December 20 as National Petroleum Day to remind Guyanese of the development that is awaiting the country – something which he promised to ensure that they benefit from.
“Guyanese will never be poor again. The oil wealth belongs to you and this Government will make sure that you benefit from that oil wealth… We are going to ensure that the oil wealth goes to the people who need it the most, the people like, people from Regions One to 10, ordinary people… APNU/AFC like ordinary people that’s why we’ve come into Government to give you the benefit of this bountiful harvest – the petroleum…,” the APNU Leader posited.
According to Granger, a Government decides what goes to the people and how much, and it will be no different when it comes to the oil riches.
“We have decided that you will get benefits of oil and you will get it over the next 10 years during this Decade of Development. We are your best guarantee to ensure that oil money is well spent… Your country is in good hands with the APNU/AFC. Trust me, trust the coalition,” he declared.
Though Constitutional Reform is a sore spot for the Government’s current record in its first term, Granger alluded to previous revelations that a review process had started and that the renewal of the Coalition’s term is necessary to ensure the continuation of that process.
It is his view that the Coalition Government has spent the past five years mending what the previous regime broke – referring specifically to an unclean environment and an outdated Constitution. He emphasised that the good work must continue.
Meanwhile, also addressing supporters was AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan who was not introduced as the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate, he said Guyanese should renew their faith in the APNU/AFC coalition and the progress it has made since 2015.
However, Ramjattan noted that while they have managed to outperform the previous Administration in just five years, they still have lots more to do and as such urged supporters not to let this progress stop.
“We have invested $3.2 billion for new and improved hospitals and health facilities, don’t stop the progress. For education, in 2019 alone we have invested $5.4 billion for new and improved schools and colleges, don’t stop that progress. We have looked after the situation of our pensioners who today get $20,500, don’t stop the progress. We have reduced corporate tax from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, don’t stop the progress. We have instituted VAT [value-added tax] exemption for small businesses earning less than $15 million annually and we’ve established a revolving fund for small businesses, don’t stop the progress,” Ramjattan stated.
The AFC Leader went on to outline that since 2016, the coalition Government has spent $43 billion on expanding roads and bridges while also building and strengthening capacity to boost the public security sector.
“Comrades, your choice in this election is clear… The APNU/AFC coalition represents the best choice for Guyana. It represents hope, opportunity and prosperity for all and not just a few. It represents the possibility of every Guyanese having a good life… We can do great things when we work together and four APNU/AFC coalition for the last four years is proof of that and so I ask for your support, your vote on March 2,” Ramjattan stated.
You must be logged in to post a comment.