Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago, I had cause to publicly confront the APNU + AFC with the truth and expose their vicious crusade to incite our communities. It is not surprising that the response from the PNC camp flowed with great adhocracy, drawing on a few individuals to engage in attacks instead of addressing the truth of Government’s programmes and policies I outlined. The responses provide ample proof that the PNC is engaged in a systemic campaign to curtail Government’s transformational agenda.
Firstly, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh publicly pronounced on Nigel Hinds’ agenda and exposed the reason for his contrived attacks against Government. I do believe he is seeking to erase his political blunders of the past. Secondly, Mr. Hamilton Green raised questions about my character through the letter pages. Lastly, Mr. Sherwood Lowe needed two letters to muster his overall response. Before my retirement as Brigadier and Chief-of-Staff in October 2016, I held appointments at all levels of the Guyana Defence Force, an organization that is predominately Afro-Guyanese. Over my 36 years of military service, I have counselled many young men and women, preparing them for leadership positions not just in the military, but wherever life takes them.
As an Afro-Guyanese, I am proud of the pathway to prosperity for all Guyanese under the One Guyana framework and the leadership of President Irfaan Ali. Nonetheless, the opposition wants to shift the conversation to the messenger. One would recall this same group fed their supporters a steady dose of lies about possessing Statements of Polls (SOPs) to prove that they had won the 2020 elections. The SOPs are still to be produced. The APNU + AFC wants to shift the conversation to fuel their message. The APNU + AFC wants to downplay the Government’s engagement with Afro-Guyanese leaders and communities, many of whom are seeing high level ministerial engagements for the first time. By shifting the conversation, the APNU + AFC is hoping that Guyanese will ignore the infrastructural works taking place in Afro-Guyanese communities across the country and the award of contracts to Afro-Guyanese.
As I have previously outlined, there are opportunities equally available to Afro-Guyanese and other ethnic groups through the policies and interventions of the PPP/C Government. Our Government’s plans of prosperity include every single Guyanese. Our President, myself and all ministers of Government have been working in all communities across the country, including the opposition strongholds. More citizens from these communities have been benefiting under our Government than when the APNU + AFC coalition was in office. People have been benefiting from roads, development and upgrade of sports facilities, university scholarships, while our local artistes are being given the opportunities and support that they’ve never had before by performing regularly at many Government events. All these initiatives benefit Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Chinese-Guyanese, Amerindian-Guyanese, Portuguese-Guyanese, European-Guyanese and Mixed-Guyanese.
There is a massive housing drive taking place. Our government has already distributed over 11,000 house lots. Roughly 50 percent of the allotments went to Afro-Guyanese; 41 percent to Indo-Guyanese; and just over 7 percent to mixed-race. I appeal to Guyanese not to become entrapped by an opposition that is increasingly becoming more isolated, losing significant grounds in communities. Under the PPP/C, there will be harmony and unity among our people, and this seems to hurt the opposition as it goes against their vision and agenda to have a united Guyana. I will continue to resist and expose the PNC’s ridiculous claims with every fibre of my being by presenting the truth about Government’s many initiatives in infrastructure, education, health and other sectors that are creating bountiful opportunities for all Guyanese. President Ali and our Cabinet ministers will continue to deliver to the people and our focus will remain towards developing our country and doing what’s best for our people.
Sincerely,
Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony
Phillips
Prime Minister of the Cooperative
Republic of Guyana
