PPP General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo last evening announced at Corriverton that the government is looking to bring 40,000 acres under cultivation following a meeting with farmers at Crabwood Creek.
With the Local Government Elections campaign in full swing, Jagdeo said that the government is also looking to reorient lands at Skeldon for hemp cultivation.
At Republic Square, Corriverton last evening he stated that under APNU+AFC Berbice was practically dead, as such one of the main priorities when the PPP/C returned to the government was the creation of jobs hence the part-time initiative was developed and will be further expanded.
Calling on residents of the region to take advantage of the government’s scholarship programme, he noted that about 14,000 persons are already studying.
“We want Berbicians to be able to study, to train to improve themselves even if you have to change profession because the sugar industry, although we rehired about 2,000 people in the region in the sugar belt, it’s not going to generate all the jobs of the future”, he said.
Stressing the government’s plan to develop new industries, he said, “This is important, we met with the farmers here in Crabwood Creek where we are looking to bring 40,000 acres under cultivation, we are looking to reorient the Skeldon lands here into hemp… We passed the law already… some of it is to generate new industries in these areas.”
Jagdeo then pointed out that since regaining office 500 roads have been completed while by the end of this year, 300 more roads will be completed in the region. He said, in 2015 APNU was “saying the right things” and was given a chance but failed to deliver on the promises made to every sector instead they took away grants and things
beneficial to the people of the country.
Red wave
Jagdeo told the crowd at Republic Square that the PPP/C is the only political party contesting all 80 of the local government areas with over 26,000 backers – a record no other political party in the country can match.
“This party has been converted from just an ordinary political party into a movement for progress across Guyana”, he said, adding that citizens are describing the movement as the “red wave taking the country.”
He added, that his party has already won 291 of the 610 constituencies, which is 13 of 80 local government areas because no other party has contested those areas. Jagdeo told the gathering that “we need to ensure that we sweep the overwhelming majority of all 80 of these local government areas.”
However, he said that this will only be possible if more importance is placed on the local government elections and the supporters play their part. According to him, one of the biggest battles is against the complacency of many of the supporters and members of the PPP/C. He said that during his travels around Guyana, it was noticed that people don’t attach much importance to the local government elections “They say to me ‘We waiting for the big one in 2025’ but if you understand the nature of politics these elections are just as important as 2025.”
Further urging all of the persons present to go out and vote on June 12, Jagdeo said, “We need to send a signal to APNU that their lies their deception, their attempt to divide us by race once again that this will not succeed in these elections… They are very worried now because they understand that by 2025 with the massive wave that is happening in the country, they have no chance of winning the 2025 elections”, he declared.
He stressed that it is necessary to have councillors of the PPP/C in every local government area who are focused on addressing development and progress. “We can’t wait for 2025, we have to grow the party now and we depend on you to do this.”
Pointing to the crowd, which Jagdeo dubbed as a massive one for local government elections, he said that the major opposition party cannot put together such a huge crowd for even a national election.
“You’re voting to safeguard your community and your children from fake promises and negative vibes and division and it all rests with you in your hands. The people have all the power. The political parties can only carry the message but you have the power to make this happen and I am counting on you on June 12”, Jagdeo told the gathering.
He said that the party did not get to celebrate its victory in 2020, as they were “busy fighting off APNU’s attempt to steal the elections, and then COVID hit.” In closing, he said maybe a celebration can be planned “this time around.”
