“Running a country isn’t a boat ride” Ali slams ‘Saga Boy’ politics

…champions PPP’s vision for Guyana’s future

Head of State Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, said running a country is a more complex issue than some may think. He said too that some are of the view that a Government can be run without carefully thought-out plans and policies.
“You can’t be a sailor and run this country. You can’t have no idea about what policy making is. You can’t wake up one morning and have a good dream that you are president and believe that that will allow you to be president,” he asserted while addressing residents at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) during a public meeting hosted by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP).

He said the presidency and the Government of Guyana are far more complex than the activities some have been focusing on.
“It is far more complex than taking a boat ride with all kinds of fantasies inside, up and down the river. It is far more complex than operating like a saga boy. That is not how a country is run,” President Ali pointed out.
A country, he continued, is run by integrity, capability, experience, and competence.
“And that is what the People’s Progressive Party/Civic offers. A country is not run by a group of people who believe they can pave their way to success.”
President Ali also stated that his party has been working on a plan and has implemented policies for the betterment of the country.
He alluded to the massive development currently taking place in Guyana.
“Today, we have a Government that is leading a country that is the fastest-growing economy in the world. Today, we have a country that is moving towards one of the best healthcare systems existing in the world. Today, we have a country right here on the highway in which a new city is being built. Today, we have a country with more than 15 new hotels under construction – that are completed. Today, right here on the highway, you have new housing developments and new resorts; new industries and factories are being constructed right here on the highway. Where five years ago, development and progress came to a halt on this highway,” Ali told the community of Kuru Kururu, situated on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, about 38 kilometres south of Georgetown.
He urged the community, sometimes referred to as Newtown Settlement, not to take the development for granted, even as we advance as a people.
Noting that sometimes people take development that is taking place for granted, President Ali pointed out that such development calls for careful planning, deliberate policies, the development of ideas and programmes that would help to create the environment for investment and the forward mobility of our people.
“These things are not accidental,” he said.
On that note, President Ali urged people to have dignity as they think of their future and not to sell their vote.
“Any person who believes that your vote is for sale also believes that your dignity is for sale because your vote is about your children, your family, and your community. And your children and your family are part of your dignity. Anyone who believes that they can give you some money and take your vote believes that your dignity can be bought and sold.”
Such forces, President Ali said, are not worthy even to be considered for anyone’s vote.