Saying that Region Five has tremendous potential for livestock farming, People’s Progressive Party/Civic Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali yesterday promised that if elected, he would reduce a number of taxes in order to ensure the industry flourishes.
According to Ali, the potential of the livestock industry cannot be realised due to the land rental costs, which, he claimed, are driving persons out of agriculture. “We have to reverse all those increases and give back the land to the people, give you back your title,” he told the party’s rally in Bath, West Coast Berbice
He said that there must be new markets to support a strong livestock industry. “We have to work on bringing in better breeds of animals so we can target new markets. There are many new markets that exist that can support a strong livestock industry,” he said.
He added that in order to have a strong livestock industry, the government must invest in infrastructure that will support the industry. “We have to build a state-of-the-art abattoir,” he said.
Further, Ali said, to promote agriculture to youths, new lands must be opened and the process to become land owners must be easier.
Touching on the region’s fisheries sector, Ali observed that fisher-men are faced with many difficulties such as security threats and increases in taxes on equipment, which results in an increased cost of operation. “That is why on March 2nd we will be voting to support the revitalisation of the fishing sector here in Region Five,” he urged.
In order to support fisherfolk, Ali said, a government led by him will reduce the taxes on equipment to assist with increasing their profit. He said they will also provide security and access to technology.
He further promised to return the catfish market to Guyana and to create a packaging and storage facility of international standards that is accessible to fisherfolk in order to prepare them for new markets.
“We have to give them incentives so they too can invest in the technology, and as the government bring new regulation for this sector, we have to help our fisherfolks to meet these new regulations so that they can remain competitive,” he said.
According to Ali, his party does not have a fixation on the oil and gas sector but rather they believe that there are many other segments of Guyana’s economy that can create wealth for citizens. “We have to use the resources from oil and gas to open up opportunities in these areas, to build the infrastructure, to ensure that these new areas and new opportunities are strong, resilient and bring the economic prosperity,” he stressed.
In terms of rice, Ali said, support would be provided. “We are going to work with the rice farmers and commercial banks to reschedule your loans so you can get back on your feet again,” he pledged.
Meanwhile, Ali said that oil and gas business will not be restricted to one region alone. “We have to build the capacity in every single region and here in Region Five, we have to build the infrastructure and capacity to bring industrial development, man-ufacturing and the services to expand here…bringing job and new opportunities to the people here,” he said.
Speaking to the joint services, Ali promised to examine the issues of overtime for servicemen and women and ensure that community police are compensated for their services. The joint services are voting on February 21st.
