Guyana’s present growth unprecedented in post-colonial history

Dear Editor,

The contrived spectacle witnessed at the launch of the APNU-AFC coalition would have left many Guyanese scratching their heads, or shaking them in shocked disbelief on reading some of the bold assertions of the coalition leaders.

Presidential Candidate David Granger spoke of taking the “… boldest step in six decades”; of the replacement of political hostility with unity; of replacing confrontation with cooperation; and replacing dictatorship with democracy.

Was this the same Granger who, as head of the combined Opposition in the 10th Parliament, led the charge to block legislation and funding which would have allowed for the realisation of the unity, cooperation and the “democracy” which he now so glibly speaks of?

Was there not ample opportunity to avoid the funding cuts for the University of Guyana Scholarship Fund; the Amerindian Development Fund; Interior Aerodromes; and the CJIA Expansion Project to name a few projects, and in so doing exemplify the unity of national purpose, and to so dispel the issues of animosity in our political life?

Isn’t it true that the incessant virulent attacks, in and out of Parliament, by the Opposition and certain sections of the national media have had a retarding effect on critical national projects?

A critical example is the Amaila Falls Hydro-electric Project which is so vital to reducing energy costs at the domestic, commercial and industrial levels thereby encouraging both domestic and overseas investment, and expanding employment and the economy.

So we now have presented to us an APNU-AFC coalition of Opposition parties who were pivotal in the abject failure of the 10th Parliament dangling the suggestion to the nation that they are entirely blameless, and are squeaky clean, without any shadows arising out of their recent parliamentary sojourn.

And the unkindest cut of all, claims of “dictatorship”. And this from the mouth of a former top commander once serving in an Army which swore fealty to the PNC, then in power. The same PNC – which he now leads, from a time when each and every Guyanese was a criminal for the possession of wheaten flour, split peas or channa!

The remarks of life under a re-elected PPP/C becoming “nasty and brutish”, after all the above can only be taken as a gratuitous threat, and an insult. One may well ask what has been APNU’s contribution to the state of affairs in Georgetown, where one of the leading personalities has been Lord Mayor for the better part of two decades???

The launch of the APNU-AFC coalition, given the main actors assembled and subliminal negative messages it portends, when seen against a backdrop of an ever improving economy and life in Guyana can only be seen as the launch of a “Trojan Horse” for a return of PNC rule. Over nearly 23 years of Government, the PPP/C has managed to bring Guyana from dire straits of existence to one of expanding progress and prosperity. The miracle that is unfolding all over Guyana is as a result of the hard work in all areas of national endeavour of the Guyanese people, facilitated by the sound, patient leadership of the PPP/C.

Guyana’s present nine years of year-on-year growth is unprecedented in its post-colonial history, and our pride of place as an export economy, assuring national and Caricom food security has been re-established.

The relative peace and stability we have achieved is a tribute to the good sense of our people, and the maturity of the PPP/C leadership in Government over these 22-plus years.

The new platform has been proposed, which aims at further unlocking the creative energy, enthusiasm and resourcefulness of women and youth by widening opportunities and facilitating the widening of their ambition and horizons for accelerating their development and Guyana’s progress.

Robeson Benn

Minister of Public Works