By Kurt Campbell in Babu John
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Hundreds of supporters of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and government officials gathered at Babu John, Port Mourant on Sunday, March 09, in their annual fashion to pay homage to former Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan and to reverberate the party’s ideals.
This year’s remembrance activity saw a divergence from what has become an annual forum to ‘cuss out’ the political opposition.
However, despite this refrain, the opposition was not spared of having pointed out what the government has termed its obstructionist agenda.
First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar read President Donald Ramotar’s message, who was unavoidably absent as he joined other CARICOM Heads of Government for their biannual meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In his message President Ramotar said that the joint opposition, through its actions has clearly taken a position which seeks to obstruct social and economic progress and to inflict as much harm as it possibly can to the economy.
The Head of State recalled cuts instituted to the national budget by the Opposition over the last two years,Opposition motivated riots which led to the loss of lives, its non – support for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and more recently the “extortion of all efforts” to prevent the passage of the Anti – Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill.
He said this failure will not only expose the country to international economic sanctions but also shows the Opposition’s support for money launderers, gun smugglers and traffickers.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee also pointed to what he said were efforts by the Opposition to thwart national development and opined that citizens are fed up of their behaviour. He urged that citizens demonstrate at the polls their disgust with the opposition’s behavior and help the PPP regain its majority in the House.
Rohee said the overwhelming endorsement for the AML/CFT Bill have demonstrated the potential for unity at the national level adding that the People’s National Congress (PNC) which makes up the APNU is an enemy of such unity.
“Guyanese have had enough of messing with their lives by their political predecessors” Rohee added.
He added that the Opposition game plan is clear for all to see, which he said was to bring to economy to ruins. Rohee debunked claims that there was mass corruption in the Government and country by extension.
According to him there has been more investment in education and health now than any other period in the history of Guyana, adding that the PPP administration has been able to regularize squatting settlement in a major way.
The PPP GS said there still remains room for improvement while pointing out that the PPP’s programme is a work in progress as he promised more for the working people and farmers.
Rohee said the PPP continues to hold tight of the ideals of the two former presidents who he said were the greatest man and woman to walk the earth of Guyana.
“Their life and work has been enduring and has stood the test of time and all leaders of the PPP have drawn examples from their life as guidance.”
He said the Jagans have left the PPP with a rich legacy that is still relevant today.
“They taught us to fight against any form of dictatorship, fight against political bullyism, and fight for national democracy, peace and progress and to lend support for the oppressed around the world.”
