Dear Editor,
While many might think that the PPP/C is going to vindictively go after APNU/AFC misfits in just the same way they hounded us, I strongly object to that claim, and here’s the reason why.
In the first place, it goes against the true nature of the PPP/C to be vindictive; it is simply not in the genetic makeup of the party. Ours is a party of building up, and not breaking down, of all the people, and not some of the people; so our goal is not to get even. The PPP/C will be walking the tightrope of development again.
In light of the foregoing fact, I would like you to pay strict attention to the following statements: When Dr Cheddi Jagan won the elections in 1992, he stated, “This is a victory for the people of Guyana.” In 1997, when Janet Jagan won the elections, she said, “The people have won.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Bharrat Jagdeo when he took over in 1999.
In 2020, Dr Irfaan Alli used the very same words, “I will be president for all of Guyana”; words that speak to inclusivity, unity and progress. These are not statements of triumphalism, but ones that go straight to the heart of the PPP/C’s Mission Statement.
Now, here are some of the things that are immediately urgent and of utmost importance:
1. Establishment of a cabinet and ministries, and hitting the ground running to do the work.
2. Putting together a budget that sets the economy moving.
3. Convening of Parliament.
4. Getting the economy back on track, getting people back into jobs. Incidentally, to those who spew the foolishness of the PPP/C being a racial party, I would ask them to cast a serious gaze at the RUSAL impasse and the successful way this government is going to bring an end to this issue. The so-called union representative in Lincoln Lewis, who claims to “so love” the people of Linden, did practically nothing to resolve the issue. He was more interested in promoting the bullying politics of APNU, instead of fixing the ills facing the workers in Linden.
5. The reopening of the sugar estates and putting thousands of workers back into jobs, while at the same time getting production up again.
Hear me and hear me well: Prior to the APNU/AFC taking the reins of power, annual sugar production was approximately 248,000 tons, now it is struggling to make 79,000 tons. What a sin. That industry, through vindictiveness and spite, has been brought to its knees with all the associated evils of poor governance. It is a Herculean task to surmount, but we shall and will overcome it. Sugar brought all the non-indigenous peoples to these shores, it succored us throughout the years, in the good times and the bad, hence this cornerstone industry must be reopened and reorganised, and restored to its former glory.
6. Power generation so direly needs making use of millions of cubic metres of gas that at the present moment is wasted.
7. Security in and out of our homes. The present state of lawlessness must come to an end. Guyanese and all those who come to our shores must feel safe again. Security, peace and progress must take their rightful place in the hierarchy of things.
With the plethora of “things to do items” one would see why we cannot have as ‘priority’ the hows and whys to deal with those who wanted to rob us of our freedoms.
However, I am not in the least advocating a “leave alone and slap on the wrist softly approach” when dealing with the opposition. Far from it! These miscreants will be dealt with swiftly and condignly. There are mechanisms set up to deal with such despicable people of the APNU/AFC cabal. I make reference to the workings of the agencies of SOCU and SARA, these are organisations adequately equipped to handle such circumstances.
Finally, the APNU/AFC cabal would have outlived its usefulness by attrition; that is, with the advent of the new political parties into Parliament and into the constitutional makeup of GECOM, there would be a reduction of the powers of the “three” APNU/AFC persons.
The balance of power has shifted in favour of the activation of the democratic process being alive and well again in this country.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
