General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday told supporters that should his party win the upcoming March 2 polls, it would immediately look at building the necessary infrastructure to bring natural gas onshore.
Speaking to a large crowd at Khaleel Bridge, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, Jagdeo made the announcement to loud cheers.
“…So the first week in office we are going to start looking at building the pipelines to bring the gas in and generate power. And so within two to two-and-a-half years, we can reduce the cost of power significantly,” Jagdeo declared.
He stated that with cheaper fuel and cheaper electricity, the cost of living would be reduced and families will have more money at their disposal.
Jagdeo added that not only will households benefit from cheaper electricity but they will also benefit from a cheaper water supply and a more reliable service.
“…Because we don’t have to import oil anymore to generate electricity; we are going to use our own gas to do that. Then we can have the price lower to people, the cost of water will go down, too. The main thing is the price of electricity to pump the water and if that price is lower the cost of producing water would be lower and this would help our business and industries not, just cost of living,” he said.
Prior to making the announcement, Jagdeo lashed out at the APNU+AFC government for what he said was its failure to make a decision on the millions of cubic feet of natural gas that is being flared by ExxonMobil since the start of oil production.
Jagdeo further highlighted his government’s intention of returning subsidies to pensioners for electricity and free water to further cushion cost of living expenses.
During his speech he touched on his party’s plans to increase the national pension to $40,000 per month within five years and the reduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, water and cellular data. He further stated that they will make university education free within the first two years and ensure that schools are adequately resourced so that parents won’t have to spend excess money on textbooks. Students who have outstanding loan balances, he added, would be able to write off their debts by engaging in programmes to give back to society. Touching on the housing sector, Jagdeo announced that his government will create 50,000 low income house lots which would cost less than a $100,000 and ensure that VAT on the cost of construction materials is removed.
“We will do 50,000 low income house lots. When I say low income house lots, I mean house lots that will be sold for less than $100,000. (Presidential candidate) Irfaan Ali has the ability to deliver that promise and you know as Minister of Housing he delivered. They talk about his size but you know he has the ability and the energy to do it… all now he is working around somewhere in the country,” Jagdeo added.
Jagdeo repeated criticisms of the government, which he accused of overspending and failing to deliver on promises, while saying that millions were spent but the lives of the people were not improved and the country has accrued further debt.
He pointed to contracts awarded to ANSA McAl for the procurement of drugs and the study for the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, which were found to be illegal by the Public Procurement Commission.
He also said that the APNU+AFC administration broke its promises of a “good life” to rice farmers, miners, university students, sugar workers and pensioners and questioned how persons can trust any new promises the coalition makes after it laid off 7,000 sugar workers and closed the estates where they worked to provide for their families.
Turning his attention to Election Day activities, Jagdeo said that he has been in contact with all of the observer missions to ensure that a free and fair election will be held.
He announced that only on Monday night he was assured by Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, who is CARICOM’s current chairman, that an observer mission will be deployed to observe the elections.
He assured supporters that they are standing firm against rigging of elections and are watchful of the actions from the PNCR, which is the main constituent of APNU part of the governing coalition.
“…This is the fear on the minds of the people given the PNC’s history and they are worried about that,” he stated as he told on them to be vigilant and watchful.
“We need you to play your part. Go and check the OLE (Official List of Electors) and check that your family and friends’ names are there. We need everyone to give a little help… we need everyone to turn out… I know a few of our people have been misled but we cannot allow this to happen again,” Jagdeo added as he called on supporters to turn out and vote on elections day. “Too much is at stake… Make sure if anyone has to go out that they vote before they go out. We can’t take these elections lightly. They can’t beat the strength of the vote. You cannot bully people at a polling place, you can’t do that. I am counting on all of you in this massive crowd that you would go out and play your part,” he urged.
