There are no barriers between “me and my people” – Pres Ali

…debunks APNU/AFC claims of bypassing local officials

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s approach of meeting directly with the people, including in A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) strongholds, has been criticised by the Opposition, but according to the President, he prefers to be a proactive president than one bound to his office and accordingly, nothing will change.

While the President maintained that he was open to consulting with everyone who wanted to work with him, including local authorities, he noted that his approach of meeting directly with the people to hear their concerns and provide them with help was something that should be welcomed, not criticised.
“Do you want a lazy President? An office-ridden President? A President who is bounded by four walls? Or do you want a proactive President, who is ready to work with every single citizen, every single body, local or foreign. Once it is for the development of the people and community, this President is ready to work,” President Ali said.
Referring to Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the President noted that democracy from the grassroots was the greatest democracy. According to him, he went to Mocha to meet the people and they met him.
“It was an open meeting. Everybody can be there. There’s no barrier. The NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] was there. The people raised their concerns and priorities and the Government reacted. We’re not reacting to what we want. We’re reacting to what they want. That is the greatest function of democracy, giving the people what they want. Not what an official want,” he said.
“I went to Den Amstel, you saw it. I do everything in the open. I told them put everything live, there’s greater transparency. Let the people see. I went to Den Amstel. Councillors from the NDC were there, the people were there and they requested help. We responded.”
According to the President, direct consultation between the Government and people in the communities has been lacking for a long time. In fact, he questioned how often the NDC officials of Mocha met with and addressed the concerns of the people, noting that the people complained about this to him.
“A local democratic organ should be happy when the Central Government, outside of its normal support, is coming directly and presenting help. Giving support. Giving the people help. Responding to their priorities. This is what it is about. It’s about changing lives. It’s about taking direct responsibility and presenting leadership.
“You go to those very communities and ask them, whether Mocha or Den Amstel, when do their local leaders come to talk to them. The people complain. There is absolutely no barrier between the Presidency and the people. And that is what I’m about. Working community to community. And trust me, the results will come for the benefit of Guyana,” the President said.
He also made reference to his August 2022 visit to Baracara, Canje Creek, where he noted that even though the residents were not political supporters of his, it did not matter as he listened to their concerns directly in order to help them.
“No officials ever visited. When I went there, they told me they voted 99 per cent against (me). I said I love you, equally as I love anyone else. Go to Baracara now and see what we’re doing. Baracara, and Canje Creek, is being transformed. We’re creating agriculture blocks, we’re cleaning canals. We’re giving them agriculture help. We’re helping them to increase production,” Ali said.
It was only in September that President Ali was in Mocha Arcadia, meeting with residents to hear their concerns. While there, he also commissioned the rehabilitated $59 million Burnham Boulevard Road. The President’s reception in Mocha was a warm one from the residents, though not without opposition from local leaders. (G3)