PPP/C only party to trust for Guyana’s development– PM Phillips

– says “Things were looking brown, dead but Bartica alive and kicking again under PPP/C”

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, says the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is the only party that can be trusted to continue the development and transformation that has been seen across Guyana over the last few years. Addressing thousands of supporters at the party’s Elections Rally on Saturday at Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Phillips reminded the crowd of the state of the township five years ago.

“When we took office [in 2020], Bartica, things were brown. It de looking dead… Now, Bartica is alive and kicking again because of the PPP/C,” the PM declared. Reminding of the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) Coalition regime’s “uncaring” actions that saw over 2000 Community Services Officers (CSOs) being fired, widespread sectorial neglect and the imposition of over 200 taxes and fees that burdened citizens, Phillips noted that it was the PPP/C Administration that reversed these.

Not only did the current administration rehire the CSOs in hinterland communities but increased their salaries, as well as removed the taxes that saw communities like Bartica coming alive again. “We want Bartica to continue living and continue growing. We want our miners to do what they do best, keeping on mining. Keep on mining and come and spend their money right here in Bartica and make Bartica a better place,” the PM stated.
Phillips, who is seeking re-election alongside President Dr Irfaan Ali for a second term in office, said over the last five years, the country has benefitted from the transformative and visionary leadership of the PPP/C.

The country has seen a Government that has delivered on all of its promises, including distributing more than 50,000 house lots including over 500 house lots issued in new housing schemes right in Bartica. In addition, a 1-megawatt (MW) solar farm has been built and is now servicing Bartica and the surrounding communities.
“Because of the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) connectivity that we spent billions of dollars investing in, you could stay in your villages and you can pursue your education. If you didn’t finish high school, you can do it now… you can have your certificate, you can have your diploma, you can have your first second and third degree right in your village. Who did that for you? The PPP/C Government… Are you gonna risk that?” he asked the crowd.
According to the PM, the opposition parties are running scared because of the growing support that the ruling PPP/C is getting from every region across the country. But even with this growing number, he cautioned supporters not to be complacent. “Now is the time for you to maintain the focus…right down to the September 1…vote for the PPP/C and for the Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to be the President for another five years… Let’s keep the focus and re-elect the PPP/C,” Phillips declared. Bartica has traditionally been a stronghold of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) – the leading party in the APNU opposition. However, APNU’s support base in the mining town has been dwindling in recent years. This is evident in the fact that former PNC member and Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, broke ranks with the party in July and endorsed President Ali for a second term in office.

Securing a future
Meanwhile, expectant father for the first time, David Daniels, has declared that he has chosen the PPP/C to ensure a secure future for his child.
“As an expecting father for the first time, I have chosen the People’s Progressive Party for a secure future for my child when he is born, and you should support and vote solidly for your child, your future, your Guyana,” he told supporters at Saturday’s Bartica Rally. Daniels, who is the current President of the Small Miners Association, recalled that under the previous administration, from 2015 to 2020, the mining industry witnessed the imposition of taxes and burdens that affected small operators. Those hardships, like VAT on machinery and fuel, were removed under the PPP/C so that miners can have more money in their pockets.
According to Daniels, it is only under the PPP that the mining industry can thrive. To this end, he urged residents of the mining town of Bartica and the wider Region Seven to ensure that the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C return to office for a second term to continue the development that was seen over the past few years.