The United Force (TUF) has outlined a 10-point strategy to better the lives of Amerindians in its manifesto, identifying the settling of land issues and the management of villages as very important.
The manifesto, launched last week, promises that if elected to government, TUF would work to ensure the “Guyanese dream,” where every citizen owns their own home, has a good income and other amenities vital to a happy life. “The political philosophy of putting people first is the vision of The United Force as we set out our “Agenda for Development” for Guyana beyond 2020,” the party’s presidential and prime ministerial candidates, Peter Persaud and Marissa Nadir, respectively, say in the document.
TUF, which has traditionally drawn the majority of its support from indigenous communities, promises better conditions of service for toshaos/village captains, including the doubling of stipends and a duty free 4×4 vehicle. “Each village would have a satellite internet facility, for education and communication,” TUF says. The party also promises improved transportation systems to foster greater and affordable market access by indigenous farmers. Regarding agricultural development in these communities, TUF has promised to provide resources and to make more skills available for more efficient agricultural production and a developed processed food sector.
It also promises to develop the tourism as well as art and craft sectors and to provide improved roads, bridges and clean waterways. Health care and services will also be modernised and there will also be “better and more cultural and sport opportunities,” it adds.
The party says it would also ensure better education for indigenous children, including the provision of more teachers, exercise and text books and other stationery. TUF has also committed to “doubling” the hinterland scholarship programme.
As part of its national agenda, TUF says that it will “address the issues of the poor, homeless and forgotten” as well as create an investment-friendly atmosphere to boost the economy and jobs.
Among the tax reforms that the party says it will introduce are the increase of the income tax threshold to $75,000 and a reduction of the Pay As You Earn for workers to 25 per cent. The party says it will also eliminate the property tax and revenue stamps.
According to TUF, “the creation of a simplified tax system will promote private sector development.” It has also committed to the removal of bureaucratic red tape, which will allow for a faster turnaround for the start up of companies. The party also says that it will review the incentive packages for investors. A TUF government will also introduce more skills training programmes and retrain older workers.
It also plans to push the country’s economic development programme within the framework of a “green” economy.
Cultivating more private-public sector partnership projects and adopting and implementing a “Keep Guyana Safe Crime Policy,” are also on its agenda. Other plans are to push the advancement of technology in Guyana and improve on the country’s infrastructure, accelerate the completion of the Georgetown/Brazil road and to strengthen families by building communities and fostering nation building by stimulating and enhancing the spiritual and moral values of Guyanese.
On youth issues, TUF says it has a “comprehensive youth development programme aimed at ensuring that every person is given the opportunity to develop his or her talents to the fullest.” The party says it will do this by creating “sufficient opportunities” for young people of working age “to make productive , remunerative and dignifying use of their time, energy and talents” as well as by making “provision for youth participation in decision making at all levels of government.” TUF also pledges to provide start-up-kits for any person who has graduated from a technical institute or craft training programme and is desirous of working in the area in which he or she has been trained.
Additionally, the party promises to “establish a well-staffed business advisory centre to evaluate the feasibility of small business ventures and to encourage and assist young people to enter the world of business, on an individual or on a cooperative basis” and to “upgrade and expand the apprenticeship programme.” The party also promises to provide adequate funding and administrative support for the Guyanese Youth Council.
