“PPP/C is 1 million % committed to national unity” – Pres Ali

– as President receives warm welcome, endorsements during Reg. 3 trip

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on a visit to Belle West in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration he heads, is not just 100 per cent, but 1 million percent committed to national unity.

The President, who was joined by regional officials and cabinet colleagues such as Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, received a warm welcome during his visit, and used the occasion to send a clear message to those who would seek to stoke divisions.
“Let me be very clear. We are a million percent committed to national unity. There is no way we’re going to allow the future of this country to be divided, segmented or taken apart by any individual or group.”
“United and strong, we are going to deliver the most prosperous Guyana to every single person,” President Ali made clear, to thunderous applause from the Belle West crowd gathered at the public meeting.
Meanwhile, the President also received a plethora of praise from among those gathered for his Region Three visits, such as one resident identified as Roger, who vowed to do all in his power to help the PPP/C to regain office.
“You must go back in power. You got to go back in power. We said that and we’re going to see that you go back in power… Mr. President, I use to plant cane. And I was an APNU (supporter). But since they close down the estate, is sixteen months I go under the bread basket. I didn’t finish pay my loans yet!”
This is a reference to the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC’s) decision to close several GuySuCo sugar estates, which resulted in more than 7,000 job losses, and devastation to tens of thousands of households reliant on the sugar industry.
Under the former APNU/AFC Government, the sugar sector was also marred by severe economic mismanagement. Between 2020 and 2024, the PPP/C Government invested $45 billion to revitalize the sector and make it a vital component of the country’s developmental plans.
With a focus on strengthening internal cooperation, the Government hopes to bring the sugar industry back to its former glory, contributing once again to the nation’s development and economic growth.
Meanwhile, Marlon Daniels, a long-serving employee of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), spoke about President Ali’s vision for the water sector. He also laid out the roadmap for how President Ali has sought to develop the water sector, from his days as Minister of Housing and Water, to the President of Guyana.
“In the water sector, what we’ve done is really tremendous work. The President, when he became Minister, introduced a pensioner’s subsidy. Which was taken away when there was a change of government (in 2015). VAT was also added on to water when there was a change of government.”
“One of the first calls we got when the new government was formed in 2020, was to immediately remove VAT from water… what VAT did to the water bill – and we received complaints every day about the high-water bills– was add $16 on every $100. So, we removed that immediately,” Daniels recalled.
Not only was this oppressive Value Added Tax (VAT) imposition removed when the PPP/C returned to office, but with the subsidy, more money actually goes into the pockets of the pensioners.
Daniels also spoke of the PPP/C government’s efforts to expand access to treated water, such as in Leguan and Wakenaam, where water treatment plants are being built. He also referenced Wales, with water being extended to La Grange.
“So right now the people of La Grange are getting water from Wales, clean clean. No iron. So, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your leadership. I look forward to when we open the Del Conte Road, we open the road to Makouria and buss it back to Timehri. When those land open, we are ready to ensure there is water there. To serve everybody.”
Moumir Rashid, another resident and farmer, meanwhile, spoke of the speed with which the PPP/C government provided targeted assistance that helped farmers, particularly when it comes to transporting their goods.
“Sir, I came to thank you for the service you have delivered to our farmers. When you (previously visited this) area, you promised us roads. Soon as you got into office, I sent a letter. Third day, we get a reply. It was forwarded to Ministry of Agriculture. Next day, Agriculture called we. Today, we got farm to market roads. And we got more than that. And more to come,” he said, expressing his thanks.