The Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is accusing the Irfaan Ali-led administration of hypocrisy. According to the coalition whilst the president claims to be building ‘one Guyana’ the administration continues to neglect and discriminate against communities that support the coalition.
Sandvoort, West Canje, Berbice, is one such community, said the coalition. Their recount of the situation follows:
“During our outreach to this community last week, residents brought to our attention the discrimination being perpetrated by the PPP-led NDC and a PPP activist who works with the region and the government.
“Drainage and irrigation works, which are desperately needed in Sandvoort, are being ignored by the NDC, while equipment is provided to nearby communities in perceived PPP strongholds. We were informed that the machinery spent eight (8) months in Sandvoort without doing any work, but was sent to other communities in PPP areas to do the very D&I works.
“Residents complained that for them to be given jobs and to receive cash grants, cattle and other livestock from the government, they are being told they must first join the PPP party. Further, staff nurses within the community have stated that they have not been paid for two (2) years.
“The treatment of Sandvoort residents is clear ethnic and political discrimination, and an abuse of power by regional and local officials. Clearly, the PPP is using government funds and resources to achieve partisan political ends. These violations reveal bad governance at its worst. They are abuses of human rights and the legitimate expectations of citizens. These acts of the PPP (nationally, regionally, and locally) continue to fly in the face of the persistent calls by the Opposition parties, civil society, the wider Guyanese society, and the US government for inclusive and shared economic growth and development.”
Based on the aforesaid, the coalition said they join with the residents in calling on the PPP regime to immediately address their needs, stop the discrimination against their community, and ensure the fair allocation of government resources which belong to the people of Guyana, including the people of Sandvoort.
