Presidential candidate of the (PPP/C), Donald Ramotar
General Secretary and presidential candidate of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Donald Ramotar, said the party is ready for the upcoming elections. He noted that discussions to appoint a prime ministerial candidate are ongoing, and the party’s choice will be announced soon. That choice will be made from the civic component of the party, Ramotar assured.
“Our electoral structures at both the leadership level and in the communities have been established to face the challenges,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the PPP/C would be successful in the upcoming national and regional elections.
Ramotar told the media on June 24 that the party’s track record will serve as the basis for the current administration retaining office.
“We have a proud record to stand on. Since we assumed the administration of Guyana, our country has made great strides in every aspect of life,” he said.
Moreover, the presidential hopeful said, Guyana’s economic status has risen because of the work done by the current administration; and for that, most Guyanese are grateful.
“At the economic level, we have moved Guyana from being a basket case in 1992 to being the most dynamic economy in the region today,” he emphasised.
He made specific reference to the progress made in the health, education and housing sectors that have seen citizens benefiting tremendously.
On the political front, the party’s general secretary said, “Guyana is now one of the most democratic nations in the world. All the fundamental freedoms and human rights are protected.
Clearly, therefore, we have delivered on our promise to the Guyanese people.” The party is currently working on its manifesto, which according to Ramotar will prove to be exciting and will take Guyana to a “qualitatively higher level.”
Ramotar’s experience
Ramotar has termed concerns and criticisms about his inexperience to become Guyana’s next president as baseless. He noted that he has much experience in the field of politics, and has been general secretary of the PPP since 1997, following the footsteps of the late president, Dr Cheddi Jagan.
“…I am not too overly concerned about some of the comments, from time to time, questioning my experience in that regard,” he told the media.
Ramotar also disputed allegations that he is now trying to gain popularity nationally, regionally and internationally.
“All the years I have travelled to every nuke and cranny in this country as general secretary of the party, there is nothing new that I am doing that.
“And, of course, I have a big interest in the activities of the government. As general secretary of the ruling party, I have a direct and legitimate interest,” he stated.
Putting to rest all of the concerns being raised about his capability to run a nation, the general secretary said: “I am not over-concerned with that…. that comes along with the territory.
“There will be criticisms, and attacks even. I am prepared for that… even though most of the attacks are sometimes totally unjustified.”
Corruption
Under his rule, the general secretary noted, he would do all within his power to ensure that the scourge of corruption is curbed. He, nevertheless, noted that, more often than not, the alleged cases of corruption are nothing to talk about.
“I am not denying that there is corruption… but I wonder if they are not highly exaggerated, many of these things,” Ramotar stated.
He said, “While I agree that there is some level of corruption, a lot of the time there is not, and it is mistaken.” Having said that, the confident presidential hopeful declared that under his rule there would be several mechanisms in place to deal with corruption at all levels. He noted that government currently has a hands-off attitude when it deals with contracts.
Cabinet has a no- objection rule to contracts, but does not award contracts, as this is the role of the National Procurement and Tender Board, Ramotar said.
“If we find corruption in any place, we will let the law take its course and deal with some of these people who are really guilty in that regard… The systems we have in place are very good… and soon we will strengthen (them),” a very optimistic Ramotar stated.
He continued: “A lot of things I think need to be strengthened to ensure the efficiency of these areas. And if you find real corruption in the society, let the law takes its course… people practising corruption would have to pay the penalty.”
Ramotar also believes that the judiciary needs to be strengthened to deal with those who continually break the law.
“Meanwhile, Guyana Times International understands that Presidential Advisor Kwame Gilbert, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon, Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford, and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett are some of the persons being considered for the position of prime minister.
