I have a vision for the good life for all Guyanese – Granger

– Ramjattan introduced as AFC Leader, not PM candidate
– as APNU/AFC coalition launches campaign

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger on Friday evening pleaded with Guyanese to give the incumbent coalition another five years in office.

He made this request to Guyanese at D’Urban Park Stadium where the coalition launched its 2020 elections campaign ahead of the upcoming polls set for March 2.
Granger noted that five years ago, Guyanese put their faith in the coalition and it did not let them down. As such, he asked for another five years so that his Administration can continue the progress it started in 2015.
“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,” he 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.
The APNU Leader reflected on projects his Administration undertook over the past years such as the establishment of four new towns throughout the country. He noted that they plan to continue this until all 10 Administrative Regions are run by towns so that they have better services and development. He further outlined plans the coalition has to continue the work it started such as fixing the country’s electricity woes and completing constitutional reform.
“Give us the chance to make this country develop to benefit all of you and you’ll see the transformation. What you saw over the five years, you ain’t see nothing yet. My friends, you have good reasons to vote for APNU/AFC… We find out what the people need and what they want, and we solve their problems and satisfy their needs. In short, APNU/AFC deserves another chance,” Granger contended.

Don’t stop the progress
Meanwhile, also addressing supporters was Granger’s running mate at the upcoming polls, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who reminded supporters that Guyana is sitting on the threshold of greatness and endless possibilities, and noted that only the coalition has the leadership the country needs to enjoy a “good life”.
Ramjattan, who was not introduced as the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate posited that come March 2, Guyanese will 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.
Also speaking at the launch was AFC Youth Leader, Juretha Fernandes, who urged young people to grab the opportunities that are available with the budding oil and gas sector so they can claim their place in the country’s history in building a new Guyana.
“Ten years from now, we will now be able to point fingers at our current leaders and ask “what are you doing for us”. Ten years from now, we will be leaders. Ten years from now, fingers will be pointed at us. Therefore, I urge you here today to stand up for yourselves and grab every opportunity that this has provided to you,” she posited.
Fernandes went on to underscore the importance of the upcoming General and Regional Elections, telling her peers that they cannot take their votes for granted.
“Your vote is not just a vote for today, your vote is for the future of your children, the future of our nation,” she posited.