Pres Ali human-centred leadership praised by CIOG

– on eve of 2nd anniversary of PPP/C ascension to office

On the eve of the two-year anniversary of the ascension of President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to office, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) led tributes for the Government’s leadership.

In a statement on the occasion, CIOG recalled that at the time the President came to office, Guyana was a “fractured, hopeless and pessimistic” society. And yet in the time he has been in power, circumstances have combined to shape his presidency for the better.
“Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc globally resulting in almost six million deaths, loss of livelihood, and disruption of global supply chains. Immediately, mechanisms were implemented to cushion the effects of the pandemic such as the provision of vaccine, cash grants and assistance to small and medium-size enterprises,” CIOG noted.
“But while we are hopeful that eventually, the pandemic will wither away, the nation was confronted with the ongoing and equally pernicious threat of climate change which resulted in a massive flood along the coast of Guyana that saw damages to the effect of almost US$1 billion.”
CIOG noted that leadership was again put on display when the Government sought to bring immediate relief to those who were affected. However, CIOG pointed out that additional challenges arose when the war in Ukraine sent global market prices soaring and caused a disruption in global food chains and hikes in food prices.

“Whilst these events have set back development, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana continues to forge ahead on its developmental trajectory. Today our nation is brimming with hope and optimism towards building a “One Guyana” which will be achieved by the permission of God Almighty.”
“His Excellency’s ascension to office was a victory but he was not triumphalist, in fact, he immediately went about looking after the affairs of the State and healing the nation. Today, his tenure in office so far has shown a strong vision for Guyana’s future, effective communication, selflessness, character and integrity. These are the hallmarks of great leadership and His Excellency has ticked off all of them,” the organisation said.
The organisation was full of praise for the Government’s focus on human capital development and improvements in healthcare and education. CIOG also praised the President’s ability to interact across several spectrums of society and across differences related to class, religion or race. According to the organisation, the President’s “common touch” comes naturally.
“This is a man who came from humble beginnings, achieved greatness but never once lost the common touch. This is what inspirational leadership is all about, building the confidence of the people and involving them in the development of our country,” CIOG said.
“His Excellency, through his One Guyana vision has deployed an effective mechanism for sustained religious and ethnic harmony, initiated programmes, policies and projects with direct bearing on the lives of our citizens and without mincing words, leaving no doubt that our country is undergoing a seismic shift in its socio-economic development. He has reengineered the hearts and minds of our nation towards a higher calling.”
The organisation also took the opportunity to remind that the position of leader is a responsibility placed on the President’s shoulders via trust. They went on to urge the Government to continue to govern in the same human-centred vein with which they have been operating.
The PPP’s first year in office got off to a feverish start, with a $330 million emergency budget passed within two months in office and a number of projects that had stagnated under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government taking off.
One of the major concerns persons had with the former President David Granger Administration was the increase in the tax burden on the ordinary man. President Ali, in the 2020 emergency budget, prepared in a record 29 days, made sure to roll back these measures.
Making good on an issue it campaigned on and criticised the former APNU/AFC Government for, the President Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government rolled back the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duties on mining equipment.
VAT was also removed from exports, cell phones, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) and building and construction materials, as well as pesticides and agricultural chemicals. VAT was also removed from the importation of stones as the construction sector sets up for a boom.
Other advances the Government has made have been in the area of infrastructure, healthcare and housing, where it distributed 3500 house lots in the first four months in office – an amount that was half the number of house lots distributed during the former Government’s five years in office.