APNU+AFC Coalition has restored Guyana’s World Standing & Credibility

Dec 30, 2018 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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Above all the political blustering, the rank opportunism, defection, and the opposition’s endless efforts to try to shift all of their sins onto the Government, the Coalition of APNU+AFC is re-affirming its patriotic commitment to the people of Guyana. We have been able to stay above the rankness, and as we begin another calendar year, we urge you to do the same – Go high!
Within the three and a half years that the Coalition has been steering the ship of state, we have cleaned up administrative messes of unbelievable proportions all over the government structure; and we have faced down many, many challenges. The Coalition has indeed made a few missteps, but the numerous and impressive successes that Guyanese at home and in the diaspora are benefitting from in just three years cannot be downplayed. Our most neutral watchers have put together this compendium:

 The Coalition Government has restored Guyana’s credibility in the whole world
 The Government is leaving nothing to chance to protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity against Venezuela, plus the right of every Guyanese to benefit from the many resources that are theirs – forest products, gold, diamonds, manganese, bauxite, oil and other minerals
 This Government has ensured that the judiciary remains independent
 The Speaker of the House of Parliament takes no guff from any side as he ensures that Parliament functions autonomously
 GECOM and other constitutional agencies are all guaranteed full financial independence
 Two Local Government Elections have been held in 3 years, compared to none for more than two decades, between 1994 and 2015, when the PPP administered the nation’s business
 Guyana today enjoys a plural, free media with full protection for practitioners
 Nationwide security takes very high priority. The careful handling of law enforcement has resulted in a reduction in serious crimes, especially piracy, which had reached epidemic proportions before 2016. Guyana has lost many skilled young lives on the high seas and this Government continues to solicit assistance from every quarter to end it altogether.
Our Coalition Government has promoted social security from Day 1. One success story is the improvement of public perception of our indigenous peoples. Today, these Guyanese citizens enjoy equal rights and opportunities, and their integration remains a work in progress as the Government works towards a truly multi-cultural state.

REMEMBER WHEN …
In three and a half years, the Coalition has eradicated acts of torture, extra-judicial killings, summary executions of citizens and many of the ills that had been associated with our police force for over 15 years. We have terminated for good, the death squads and drug gangs that used to stalk this land, our people and their possessions including their homes, vehicles, boats and other property, especially in Berbice!
The Coalition Government continues to fight institutionalized corruption in public agencies. We have restored the Integrity Commission, especially for officers/ministers in public service, and the Public Procurement Commission, to handle state procurement.
The various programmes implemented by the Education Ministry, NCERD and other institutes have improved access to education, better attendance and higher pass rates. College and university education is more affordable, and UG’s administration is relentless in its efforts to transform the University of Guyana into one with world class rating with no political interference.
High quality highways and roadways remain a priority and so far, the West Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara highways are complete, along with five pedestrian overpasses and a major roundabout in Kitty.
Factor in the upgrade of more than 10 Hinterland aerodromes and airstrips. We have delivered 132 Community ICT Hubs that give people all over Guyana free access to the Internet, and almost every Primary and Secondary school in 8 out of 10 Regions are connected to the national network.
Guyana can now boast of having a truly national public information network that links the Coastland with the hinterland. To date, there are six new Regional Radio Stations in Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia, Orealla, Lethem and Aishalton.
Working people who still carry the burden of past neglect through starvation wages are much better off under this Government. VAT has been reduced, public servant salaries increased by 63%, the tax threshold lifted to $780,000 annually, and personal income tax lowered. Everyone, from teachers, nurses, doctors, soldiers and police officers to pensioners, young people, single parents and public servants, now have greater hope for a life of fulfillment in the very near future.

GUYSUCO SAVED FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was in its death throes in 2015 and a plan had to be devised fast to save it from total collapse. The Government knew that the decisions from then onward would be hard, but the tough things had to be done to save the Corporation that so many thousands depended on for their sustenance.
We had to close four estates which put the jobs of 10,000 sugar workers in flux, but it had to be done to stop the bleeding. Between 2015 and 2017, more than $32 Billion had been injected into the industry, but it did nothing to stop the haemorrhage of the nation’s revenue. GuySuCo’s debts were not paid and more debts were added. But all was not lost.
Towards the end of 2018, production at the three sugar estates in operation had surpassed 105,000 tonnes. Many of the displaced sugar workers were rehired and many others have since been re-trained for other employment. Every worker was paid the balance of their severance pay with interest.
Guyanese have every reason to believe that the fortunes of this country are finally moving in the right direction – Upward. These are real, compelling reasons to rally around your government.
The AFC takes this opportunity to assure every Guyanese that your future in this growing nation is assured under the APNU+AFC Coalition.

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