– Jagdeo says massive development plans on stream for Guyana
As the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) announces their plans for the Guyanese people amid the upcoming elections, campaigning will also be done extensively in all communities to highlight some of the projects that will be undertaken under their governance.
This was announced by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent press conference, where he signalled their draft of developmental plans for several years. While there have been protest actions on their part to ensure constitutional adherence, he said their focus is positioned towards the common man.
“We’re happy that we’re moving forward. The PPP will start aggressively to campaign because we want people to hear what our plans are for the next few years. We will review. We will see how we go and our strategy to protest the Government will be under review but we are not a party of protest,” he noted.
Jagdeo, who is also the party’s General Secretary, said they will venture out into every region and the wider communities to meet and engage the public. The party intends to put forward the plans they have outlined and how they will benefit the population.
“We’re more comfortable talking about development. We want to carry that message in every corner of this country and we want the people to see and understand the plans for the next five years and how all of them will benefit from these plans. We want to go [out to] every region and every community to talk to people about this. That’s where we would like to take the campaign.”
At a previous press conference, he had assured that the PPP would work for all Guyanese regardless of their race, religion, or geographic location. However, it was noted that the party’s political opponents have always painted them as pro-Indian – an area where not enough was done in order to change or tackle this perception.
This time around, they will be seeking to end this stereotype by further broadening their base. Already, he had said, the PPP has gained significant backing from new supporters.
A number of valid developments have been promised in the party’s manifesto, which was released some time ago. Their plans have tackled areas which have seen mass outcries from the Guyanese public.
The education sector under the PPP Administration is said to be geared towards improved access, quality, affordability and preparing Guyanese students at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and tertiary levels. This is to ensure that they secure better-paying jobs in line with the requirement of the economy.
Prominent among these would be the delivery of free education at the University of Guyana (UG) and enhanced access through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Previously, it was explained that free university education would not be available initially but within two or three years as they work out the details of this policy initiative. The party had also announced plans to give out 20,000 online scholarships, which will help with private education especially in courses that are not offered by UG.
Meanwhile, as it relates to the power woes, the PPP has also committed that the resuscitation of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project would be among its top priorities for the energy sector.
To this end, the General Secretary said that the PPP Administration will move onto a gas power plant, which it believes could be done easily. To this end, the General Secretary said that the PPP Administration will move onto a gas power plant, which it believes could be done easily. However, while this will bring another 20 megawatts into the system, he stressed that it will not come into fruition until maybe 2021. As such, they will have to rely on fossil fuel initially to stabilise power supply in the country and bring an end to the constant blackouts.
As they campaign alongside the elections preparations, the Opposition Leader said they will dispatch officials to scrutinise activities under the Guyana Elections Commission. On October 1, the Commission will embark on the Claims and Objections period – a process that would be under watch by their scrutineers.
