‘Time up for the PPP’ – Norton declares as APNU launches election campaign

Jul 07, 2025 News

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…promises to better manage oil resources

…hike public servants’ salaries

…raise income tax threshold to $400K

…bigger cash grants for students

 

By Renay Sambach and Anasa Williams

Kaieteur News – The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition kicked off its election campaign on Sunday with Presidential Candidate, Aubrey Norton, declaring “time up for the PPP” and promising a range of measures that he said will better the lives of Guyanese.

Speaking to a gathering at the Square of the Revolution, Norton criticised the incumbent administration and outlined the coalition’s vision to overhaul governance, raise public servant salaries, and deliver more direct benefits from Guyana’s oil wealth to citizens.

“Guyana, we are on a journey to return to honest government. We are in a journey to ensure we do the right thing for our children’s sake. We are on a journey to restore law and order in Guyana,” Norton said.

He stressed that the APNU plans to restore transparency and root out what he described as “kleptocratic” leadership. Norton also promised to distribute the country’s oil revenues in a way that puts people first. “We will manage oil resources in a way that the people of Guyana benefit.” “The People’s Progressive Party behaves as if they own every Guyanese, as if they own Guyana, that if this oil money is theirs to steal…we are saying to you that this is our money. It is our patrimony and every Guyanese must share in it,” he declared.

Norton announced that under APNU’s government, there will be direct cash transfers to citizens and larger cash grants of $120,000 annually to school children. Further, Norton promised sweeping improvements in public sector wages. “…by the stroke of a pen, there will be a 35% increase to the public service. Public servants must get a livable income. They must be able to live a comfortable life,” he argued.

Norton also mentioned that the APNU would raise the income tax threshold to $400,000 to ease the burden on working-class citizens.

Further, Norton said APNU’s manifesto will include a rent subsidy programme, a rent-to-own housing scheme, and a targeted job creation drive in agriculture and other sectors. On healthcare, Norton pledged to establish national dialysis centres, provide medical insurance for national athletes, and build a healthcare system that pays doctors and nurses better. Norton, who is also leader of the PNCR, revealed plans for a Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), a national literacy programme, and a revamp of the education system with a focus on core skills and digital access.

 

Justice for all

Moreover, referencing alleged injustices under the PPP, Norton promised a system of restitution for those who lost property due to what he called wrongful demolitions and announced that within 100 days of taking office, his government would launch an international investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Young. “Guyana needs to be a united society. We must work to ensure all the people of Guyana benefit from the resources of this country,” Norton said.  He also promised equitable funding for all municipalities regardless of political affiliation, and announced plans for  a cultural policy that includes support for Indigenous and Guyanese music, arts, and creative industries.

Hike in old age pension

Meanwhile, APNU’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Juretha Fernandes, also sweetened the pot, promising citizens $100,000 old age pension, tax relief and cash support for youth. Fernandes told the audience that she loves economics because that is how money is spent and is decided. The politician went on to say that Guyanese are living in a country where the funds are not being spent on the people, but under the leadership of Norton the coalition has decided that it is time that this is reversed.

“…we have crafted people-centred policies, and we have a people-centred development strategy, and this is what you need to know about it. It is not acceptable today in 2025 in a country with vast resources from oil that our public servants cannot afford to give their families the most basic modern convenience, that is how the PPP has failed the public servants. They have failed the public service, but it is time for them to go. The APNU administration will fix this atrocity that the PPP has on us,” she said

After this was met with loud encouraging cheers, Fernandes revealed that the coalition has plans, if elected to office, to raise public servants’ salaries by 35% and the income tax threshold will be raised to $400,000 a month.

The PM candidate explained that, “In effect, we will be completely removing the income tax from the working class of his country. This is what a people-centred policy will do. This is what we are guaranteeing you the people.”

Fernandes stressed that Guyana has the resources, which the coalition plans to efficiently manage, making sure that they go into the hands of the working class.

Furthermore, she noted that it is unacceptable to have youths finish their secondary education and then have to choose between going to university or not and working a job that pays the bare minimum. “That is the results of the PPP policy. They have failed our young people, but their time is up. The APNU coalition government will make sure that every young person who wants to pursue a post-secondary education will receive $50,000 every month to cover their basic needs. This is your time. This is your time to thrive. Young people, this is your time to thrive,” Fernandes urged. Not forgetting the senior citizens, the APNU is promising to raise old age pension to $100,000, saying that the current monthly pension is inadequate.

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• APNU, APNU Coalition, Election campaign, elections 2025, Juretha Fernandes, Norton

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