People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee has condemned the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) for apparently misleading Guyana into believing that Regions Seven and Eight have been neglected by the Donald Ramotar administration.
Rohee told reporters on Monday that the PPP/C has noted the opposition’s move to grossly misinform and mislead Guyanese and the world at large.
APNU, during a recent press conference, said poor health services, deteriorating roads, and an education system that leaves much to be desired are among key issues plaguing the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region (Region Seven). On another occasion, the coalition contended that the two secondary schools which serve the Potaro-Siparuni district (Region Eight) are overcrowded and lacked certified teachers.
According to the PPP/C general secretary, investigations were launched into the allegations peddled by the opposition, and they have revealed that developmental activities are ongoing in both regions, while corrective steps are being taken to address existing problems.
Addressing another allegation, Rohee said contrary to reports that the Bartica Regional Hospital is dilapidated, underequipped and understaffed, the health facility has been upgraded, with sections undergoing extensive repairs.
It was noted too that the Bartica hospital is being extended to house additional services. Health centres throughout the region remain stocked with the requisite medical supplies, he added, but acknowledged that there might have been a few cases of shortages within the health system.
In the area of education, APNU has contended that the Waramadong Secondary School is overcrowded and has a shortage of certified teachers.
Rebuttal
In rebuttal, the PPP/C general secretary explained that the school was built to facilitate 500 students and 21 teachers, noting that it currently has a population of 487 students and 19 teachers, with two other teachers attending the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Government was also accused of spending millions of dollars to facilitate emergency medevacs, simply because the Kamarang Hospital lacked critical equipment. Among equipment needed is a portable X-ray.
In response, Rohee said the health facility is slated to undergo massive rehabilitation from this month. Additionally, it was noted that an X-ray machine and an ultrasound machine are being procured to enhance the level of health services offered within the community.
“The APNU’s strategy for casting aspersions, misrepresenting the facts and creating their own stories has been used in the National Assembly by the senior officials,” he said.
Rohee stressed that the PPP/C administration remains dedicated to developmental activities across Guyana.
