…“Aubrey, I hope you will answer my questions” – Jagdeo
PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo
Nearly a month after the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) invited the public to submit recommendations for initiatives they would like to see implemented during its new term in office, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has followed suit with a similar initiative.
“So, Aubrey Norton decided to pull the same thing off,” PPPC General Secretary (GS) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo remarked during his press conference on Thursday, of the PNCR leader’s copy.
PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton
Last month, Jagdeo had invited members of the public to make suggestions via WhatsApp at 741-2575 or drop-in mails at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown. They were also encouraged to submit their ideas at party offices in the various regions across the country.
To date, hundreds of suggestions were submitted to the PPPC – and according to the General Secretary, most of the ideas from citizens are already in their plan for the new term or are being discussed.
On the heels of this successful PPPC initiative, the PNCR on May 14 launched a similar initiative. On its Facebook Page, the PNCR announced what it described as a “groundbreaking” initiative, where it invited members of the public to contact Norton via WhatsApp.
“…you can contact Norton on WhatsApp now and “Ask Aubrey C. Norton the questions that matter most to you, your family, your future”,” Jagdeo expressed with amusement during his press conference on Thursday.
Nonetheless, Jagdeo said he has a few questions for the PNCR leader to answer.
Among those questions are: “How about when will you stop rigging elections?” and “When will you stop supporting lawlessness?”
Jagdeo also asked, “When will you take responsibility for when your party pauperised Guyana in the 28 years that led us to be the poorest country in the hemisphere and the most debt-laden country in the hemisphere and the disastrous five years; when will you be taking responsibility for that?”
“What about failing the Afro-Guyanese community in Guyana, the whole country, but [also] failing the community that looked up to your party for leadership and you’ve not provided any to these young kids,” the GS added.
“Aubrey, I hope you will answer my questions,” Jagdeo expressed.
Meanwhile, Jagdeo previously disclosed that the public has provided insightful suggestions to the PPPC since it launched the initiative. In fact, he had described the overwhelming participation as “an incredible demonstration of civic engagement”.
A significant number of submissions were related to concerns about drainage, flood control, and water management; the removal of derelict vehicles, improved parking systems, and relocating small industrial operations such as auto repair and upholstery services that disturb residential areas.
Suggestions also centred around taxes on the importation of vehicles, financial literacy initiatives, and the continuation of a number of welfare programmes such as the “Because We Care” cash grant initiative.
Jagdeo, who currently serves as Vice President (VP) in the ruling PPPC Administration, has explained that it was through similar consultations and feedback that the PPPC was able to craft the 2020 Manifesto, and deliver on promises such as tax reduction on overtime and second salaries, which were recommendations that were made from the public back then.
The current Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government has fulfilled and even gone beyond most of the promises made at the last elections, and, as the PPP heads towards the 2025 elections, the party aims to build on these successes, pushing forward with more ambitious projects to improve the lives of citizens.
