President Irfaan Ali yesterday urged Guyanese to examine deeply the motives of those who are claiming they can offer better leadership than the PPP/C, stating that social and economic justice includes the building of national wealth which is being done by the current administration.
Ali, who was speaking at Babu John, Port Mourant, yesterday where the PPP/C held a remembrance for the former president and founder of the PPP/C Dr Cheddi Jagan, stressed that the fundamental principles instilled by Jagan were very much alive.
According to Ali, Jagan “designed the soul” of Guyana based on fighting for the rights of each citizen with protection to grow and advance. He reminded those listening that less than four years ago there was an attempt to steal this. “The People’s Progressive Party/Civic has consistently stood on a value system that protects the lives of people, that fight for democracy and freedom,” he said.
The President then stated that it was necessary to celebrate what “embodies us as a nation” and acknowledge “one of the key architects who crafted the soul of our nation…”
Ali stated that in today’s world, many speak as the conscience of society, that they constitute the intellectual elements of society, and that they can provide better leadership than the PPP/C. He urged Guyanese to “examine deeper their motive, examine deeper what their aspirations are.”
According to the President, there are still “forces out there who believe that the People’s Progressive Party does not possess the finesse, we don’t have the sophistication to be in government or to lead this country.”
Noting that maybe his party does not speak the “right type of English” or wear the right type of suits, he stated that they “always, every single day do what is right for the people of this country. Our fight is for the upliftment of the people of this country, our fight is for the safety, honour, dignity, democracy, freedom of the people of this country.”
Ali said it must be understood how social justice and economic justice are an important part of the soul of the nation and include the building of national, community, and individual wealth. He said his government was doing this by enhancing infrastructure countrywide in communities which ultimately improves the net value of every citizen stressing that his government was making necessary investments to create wealth.
Turning to governmental projects, President Ali pointed out that the Hope-like canal which is expected to commence construction in the next three months will reduce the risk of flooding by 60% in Region Six.
According to him, with the risk of flooding reduced, the risk of financing projects for farmers would become lower allowing them easier access to financing. Importantly, he said, when the risk of the damage of flooding is reduced then the value of land increases. “So when we build the new road network and the new drainage facility for the lands we are not only giving you drainage and irrigation for the production capacity we are also increasing the value of your land. We are increasing the value of your asset. We are increasing your net worth, and these are important aspects of social and economic justice.”
Contractors
Meanwhile, he also warned that anyone who did not uphold their contractual agreement with the country will be held accountable.
“They will write whole day about four pump stations not completed three years but they will not say that those contractors will be under penalty and they will have to pay liquidated damages,” he said. “They will not say that the ministry will take action against them. They will want to make it look to suit their objective… No one who breaks the law or who does not fulfil their contractual obligation to this country will be allowed to do so. We have it very clear to all the PSs [permanent secretaries], all the ministers that the law must take precedence, and where there are liquidated damages must be challenged, it will be challenged,” he said.
Additionally, Ali said that his government was not one to hide from the facts that there are indeed delays in some contracts but it was not because of the government but rather multiple factors which include the supply chain crisis, COVID-19, major floods, one of the worst droughts and other natural disasters had to be overcome.
Ali also took the opportunity to state that a foundational pillar of the PNC now APNU was Hamilton Green who recently said that the only way for the opposition to get into office and remain there was “through rigged elections and he called upon them to rig elections to stay in office… Those are the enemy of the soul of our nation and we must destroy the enemy of our soul of our nation. Destroy them by consciousness, destroy them by truth, destroy them by facts, destroy them with hard work in every community, every street, and every home.”
Pointing out that the government can’t do it all at once, Ali stated that life for Guyanese has become “tremendously better in the last four years in this country. It has become better for all segments of the Guyanese population.”
