Dear Editor,
It is just over four months since President Irfaan Ali was sworn in on August 2, and a poll conducted by this writer reveals very high ratings of Ali and his government, on their performance and for their policies.
The latest poll, conducted from November 8 to coincide with the first 100 days in office, thru now, shows that Guyanese of all ethnicities are very satisfied with the performance of the Ali-led administration. Respondents express a lot of confidence in the administration to rebuild the wrecked economy inherited from the APNU-led coalition.
Polling data and interviews with respondents suggest there is optimism about the future of the country under this administration. Not only are the Government and President doing well in their approval ratings, but the peoples’ lives are also improving through Government-sponsored initiatives, grants, and prompt responses to complaints.
People condemn the attempt to rig the outcome of the March 2020 Election, and feel GECOM must be cleansed of attempted riggers. They are supportive of prosecution of those involved in rigging, and they want GECOM to be reformed and cleansed to prevent future rigging.
Respondents also overwhelmingly condemn the racial violence in West Berbice, and those political figures behind it.
Right after swearing in, the Ali government seized the opportunity to ground with the people by addressing their basic needs. The President quickly set the direction of the new Government, and people are very supportive of the President’s decision to take Government to the people and interact with communities.
Ministers are grounding with the people, something that was missing among most Ministers under the Coalition, and the public applauds this initiative. The President has fulfilled most of his 100 days’ promises, and respondents describe the Government’s performance as superior to that of the preceding coalition.
Many who did not vote for the PPP welcome the change in Government, which took place on August 2, because of the progress being made since then, and they also condemn those previous ministers and bureaucrats who attempted to steal the election.
People are also supportive of US involvement to protect the outcome of the elections, and they overwhelmingly approve of the visit to Guyana by the American Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. They want closer relations with America, saying it would bring development and progress to the country. Some even say Guyana should enter into an alliance with America, or even consider becoming an affiliated territory of USA’s.
Further, respondents express support for the reopening of GuySuCo, praising the PPP for honouring a manifesto promise that would create jobs and lead to greater circulation of money, while also boosting economic growth.
But, on Exxon, they would have liked for the oil contract to be revisited. They welcome the oil exploration and investment, but feel Guyana deserves more than 2% royalty. They blame the APNU-led coalition for what they describe as a blunder in the contract negotiation. Respondents overwhelmingly feel the nation has been deprived of a fair amount of royalty. They say it was a poor deal. “We didn’t bargain for the right amount” aptly describes the national view.
Asked to identify the most serious problems facing the Government, uppermost in peoples’ minds are crime, COVID, and the economy (cost of living and joblessness); those are followed by race relations, infrastructure, agriculture, health and political instability, among other issues. Respondents feel that Government needs to do more on the crime front.
A large majority of respondents are thankful that the Coalition is gone. They describe the Coalition as a burden on the backs of the working class and poor, taxing people on almost everything, and lacking accountability. They praise the Government for being very active in the fight against COVID, and on issues of health care.
Almost everyone praises the PPP for the $25K COVID grant per household. The President has very high approval ratings, with the lowest approval ratings in history bettering predecessors by far – an indication of how supportive people are of the President at this time.
The President’s wife, First Lady Arya Ali, also came in for praise for her public duties and initiatives to improve the standard of living. Opposition Leader Joe Harmon trails Irfaan Ali in ratings.
All of the ministers have been praised for their activism and performance.
Respondents say Attorney General Nandlall and Timothy Jonas are deserving of Silk (Senior Counsel status). They were outstanding during the legal battle against the election fraud, and in explaining the election legalese lingo to the public.
Overall, people say they are impressed with how much President Ali has learned and accomplished in his first four months in office. But they advise that he does not ease up with his performance, as much work remains to be done.
Yours truly
Vishnu Bisram
