In a fiery, no-holds-barred address to residents of Kwebanna, Region One (Barima-Waini), Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal tore into what he described as “selective amnesia” over the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) tangible progress in Guyana’s hinterland communities, declaring boldly that “transformation happens in stages” and the PPP/C is delivering on every front.
The Minister, who visited the village on Monday, championed PPP/C’s hard-won achievements while issuing a pointed warning to detractors who, he said, have conveniently forgotten the neglect and economic strangulation suffered under the previous A Partnership for National Unity – Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) administration.
“You cannot forget that this very village suffered: logging collapsed, mining halted, and our youths were discarded like they didn’t matter. But today, over $374 million has been injected directly into Kwebanna,” Croal thundered. “Yet they say nothing is happening? What world are they living in?”
With the government set to invest an additional $2 billion in a state-of-the-art secondary school for the area – a project Croal says will revolutionise education, spur commerce, and shift the economic gravity of the village – the Minister declared the PPP/C’s governance as one of substance over show, rooted in careful planning and inclusive development.
“If, every time we show up to listen, build, and deliver, they scream ‘election time’ — then we must be having elections every year!” Croal quipped. “We’ve always been here. We never left. That’s the difference.”
Additionally, the Minister reminded residents of the PPP/C’s restoration of the “Because We Care” grant, which now delivers $55,000 per child, and their reintroduction and expansion of the Community Support Officers (CSO) programme. He likened these initiatives to lifelines for hinterland families that were severed during the coalition’s rule and resuscitated under PPP/C’s stewardship.
Nevertheless, looking ahead, Croal teased key commitments for the next PPP/C manifesto, including a transportation grant for schoolchildren nationwide, which is part of the administration’s pledge to reduce barriers to education while stimulating local economies.
“We don’t need to hide our plans. We say what we will do — and we do it,” he affirmed. “That’s the PPP difference.”
The governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is gearing up to formally launch its campaign this month for the upcoming 2025 General and Regional Elections slated for September 1.
According to PPP’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, vetting is also ongoing for candidates to be included in the backers list, which will be in compliance with GECOM’s prescribed form, which has a declaration at the top to indicate that persons are knowingly and willingly signing to support a particular political party.
Meanwhile, on July 14, Nominations Day, parties will be required to submit their approved symbols and their Lists of Candidates: one National Top-Up List, at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists, and the Regional Democratic Councils’ Lists.
The National Top-Up list, which identifies the presidential candidate, must have at least 42 candidates and between 300 and 330 nominators countrywide. Each geographical constituency list must have between 150 and 175 nominators from each geographical constituency.
