We need to win more than the Presidency –
PPP/C Presidential candidate tells Unity supporters

 

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) remains confident of securing the majority votes and by extension the Presidency at the august 28 polls, but will only be satisfied with winning control of regions that were traditionally controlled by the People’s National Congress Reform, including Region Four.

At a public meeting held in his hometown, Unity, East Coast Demerara, PPP/C Presidential candidate Bharrat Jagdeo, charged supporters with ensuring that the Party gains both victories. He urged that they ensure their National Identification Cards are in order and in cases of new registrants, that these are uplifted.

During the last Elections many votes were lost because of spoilt votes. Supporters were told to place the X next to the cup on the top of the ballot paper, as well as the bottom. One is for the Election of the Presidency and the other is for regional representatives. “Please ensure you learn how to vote correctly…you have the power to ensure that progress in this country continues,” he told the crowd, adding that the PPP/C is committed to another term of hard work and improving the lives of Guyanese and that is why it is seeking to be returned to Office. This was met with loud cheers and pledges of support on polling day when the PPP/C will contest the General and Regional Elections with nine other Parties.

Mr. Jagdeo also explained that the PPP/C cannot afford to marginally win the Elections as this would prevent the Party from having the majority of seats in the National Assembly and the Party would be forced to form a collation Government. He recalled that in 1964 the PNC and the United Force formed a coalition government which ousted the PPP from Office for 28 years.

He told supporters that his Party has a plan for every sector and many of them are already being implemented.

Speaking extensively on the developments realized under the PPP/C 14-year rule, Mr. Jagdeo noted that there are now 35,000 pensions in comparison to the mere 2000 in 1992. additionally, there has been about US$120M in investment in the bauxite sector over the past three years, a US$164M modernizations programme for the Skeldon Sugar Factory, an Information Communication Technology strategy , 70,000 house lots distributed and 800 of the 1150 dilapidated schools repaired and rebuilt.

The PPP/C Administration is also constructing the country’s first stadium and convention centre and the permanent headquarters for CARICOM and repayment of US41.2B in external debt. The building of the Berbice River Bridge would start shortly. The government has also secured a US$20M to restructure the Guyana Police Force to better tackle crime.

These are just few of the things accomplished by the PPP/C administration, he pointed out. “I can promise you another five years of hard work and at the end of the five years, we would be closer to meeting our goals, which ultimately leads to creating a better life for our people,” he told the supporters gathered at the Unity Community Centre Ground.

Also addressing the crowd was PPP/C candidate Dr. Frank Anthony, who outlined progress recorded in the health sector, in contrast to the dilapidated hospitals and dark days under the former regime. He noted that the current administration is modernizing the health sector through improved services, infrastructure and training for medical personnel. Students are also benefiting from hundreds of scholarships. Dr. Anthony pointed out that new hospitals would be built in Regions One, Nine and Ten, while a new hospital was recently completed in New Amsterdam and a polyclinic on the East Coast Demerara. Additionally, with help from the Cuban Government, Guyana would have four new diagnostic and treatment centres and an Ophthalmology Centre that would treat 27 ailments of the eye.

He pointed out that the infant mortality rate is a success story. In 1992, the rate stood at 124 of every 1000. Today only 21 of every 1000 babies that are born, die.

This progressive trend, he maintained, is evident in every sector across the country, including education and housing. Under the PPP/C government 70,000 house lots were distributed since 1992, in comparison to the PNC not distributing a single lot to Guyanese during the last 11 of its 28-year dictatorship that ended in 1992. “That is why come August 28 you would vote resoundingly for the PPP/C,” Dr. Anthony urged.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C local organizer Jai Singh said that Unity has benefited from improved conditions under this government.

“All the roads in the area were repaired,” he said. He also pointed out that Guyanese can today access scholarship more freely than during the pre-1992 period.

August 9, 2006

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