Declaring that crime is out of control, PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Sunday promised Berbicians improved security if his party is elected at the upcoming general elections.
In his maiden address to party supporters in Berbice, where a rally was held at Albion, Phillips said that if elected a PPP/C government would implement anti-crime measures to make communities safer.
“People of Berbice, you deserve to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest and enjoy the fruits of your labour. The criminal situation is out of control and the PPP/C has heard your cries for safety,” he declared, while adding that there have been too many armed and violent crimes. “So we will equip and improve the operation readiness of the Guyana Police Force and we will work to improve the effectiveness of your community policing groups,” he added.
According to Phillips, a government with him would also improve the conditions of work along with the welfare and quality of life issues for the members of the police force. “We will return the payment of bonus to our joint services and review the pay and allowances for those hard working members,” he added.
He then said that members of the joint services would be assured of “a friend” in him and the PPP/C government.
Phillips also said that with Berbice being an agricultural county, it has an important role in ensuring food security and towards this end, a PPP/C government would seek to put more support systems in place for farmers.
“We will improve research and logistics to support the work of farmers and investors of agriculture in this region. We will pursue a policy of land allocation reforms to make small farmers more viable and more product. We will facilitate the transfer of training techniques and technology, access to loans for you our farmers and quality assurance support for all small farmers and investors in the agriculture sector here in Berbice,” he stated.
In addition to this, Phillips said, that they would also improve the farm to market roads as well as lower the fees for the rental of lands.
Touching on healthcare, Phillips said the PPP/C would put an end to drug shortages as well as up-grade and expand regional health facilities. Also, he said, they would improve the conditions of work for public health workers.
According to Phillips, they would also work to remove taxes from private healthcare as “only an unconscionable government will tax people who are spending their savings on medicine and healthcare.”
Speaking to youths, Phillips said the PPP/C will work on equipping technical training centres with the necessary technology, infrastructure and teachers to educate youths to produce a skilled work-force. “We have to replicate the Port Mourant Training School model throughout Guyana,” he noted.
He also stressed that crime would decrease if more youths are given opportunities for employment and skills training.
Phillips then sought to remind the gathering of employment created under the previous PPP/C administration, as well as the distribution of house lots and other development, such as increases to the Joint Services to improve pay, allowances, infra-structure and equipment.
“Today we have a job crisis, economic mis-management and health-care is worsening and out of reach for many Guyanese,” he said.
Encouraging persons to read the PPP/C’s manifesto, Phillips said the party would ensure that all Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation benefit from its plans.
