APNU Candidate Kirk Fraser Exposes PPP’s Empty Promises: A Battle for Votes in New Amsterdam Town

Mr. Kirk Fraser, A Partnership of National Unity (APNU) candidate for Constituency 3 in the New Amsterdam Town, has come out swinging against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. In the run up to Local Government Elections scheduled for June 12, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has entered the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) strongholds in a bid to peel away votes.

Whereas the APNU has not done the same the PPP/C is somewhat combative and aggressive in going after traditional APNU/People’s National Congress voters, making promises should they win the areas, whilst daring the Opposition to challenge them.

But whilst some candidates have been quiet, or whispering about the PPP’s politics of promises, Fraser stands out for penning and disseminating thoughts.

In a recent letter carried in Village Voice News, the candidate was forthright in calling out PPP General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo According to Fraser, after the PPP’s first term of twenty-three years (1992- 2015), and three years since their re-election in 2020, they only now see it fit to unveil a plan for the development of New Amsterdam.

He said after examination of their ‘plan’ he wondered from whence is this love affair between the PPP and the people in New Amsterdam, and the sudden U-turn from being considered and treated as the most despised town and people.

Listing a litany of issues to support his contention the candidate mentioned the Jagdeo’s presidency which he said was instrumental in attempting to economically crush the town and people of New Amsterdam.  He presented the undermentioned evidence:-

I.         The closure of Everton (BERMINE) caused severe hardship to businesses and those who were employed in the bauxite industry. The workers, family and town were hard hit.

II.         The second attempt to ensure the non-existence of New Amsterdam was the construction of the Berbice River Bridge at its current location, in an effort to lynch the town. This against recommendations by experts to construct the bridge at Rotterdam, which is a shorter distance between East and West Berbice and would have brought benefits to citizens of Ithaca and New Amsterdam, two communities of predominantly Afro-Guyanese.

Fraser pointed out then President Jagdeo singlehandedly rejected the experts’ recommendations, which were based on the cost of the project (lower) and the longevity of the bridge (greater).

Fraser asked “Why punish us for decades, and now come bearing gifts in the form of ‘a plan for prosperity’, but only if the PPP wins at Local Govern-ment Election 2023?” He reminded the PPP/C a government has responsibility to ensure development for all communities, regardless of political affiliation.

New Amsterdam under the PPP v APNU+AFC

Drawing comparison with the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government, the candidate outlined the town made significant progress under the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo-led administration. “From being the darkest town to the brightest town. Over 1,200 street lights were installed in the residential areas, this included the main roads, namely, Republic Road, Strand, and Main Road New Amsterdam. Angoy’s Avenue, which was the worst affected area, and often referred to as a depressed community, for the first time received the basic commodity of potable water in their homes.”

Further, he stated, for decades, residents were relegated to lining up at a hole in the ground to fill water daily. “School children were made to suffer because of their parents’ political preference.  Residents walked ankle deep in mud to get to school and work, because not a single street was paved. Thanks to the David Granger- led administration, the residents of Angoy’s Avenue are now able to walk and drive on paved streets, just like their fellow Guyanese in Canefield Canje or Hampshire Corentyne.”

Pivoting to the PPP  return to government, Fraser made known that from 2020 to present, two streets were paved in Angoy’s Avenue, Timmer’s Roundabout and Brown Street. He also noted the main access roads are central government’s responsibilities, many of which have been neglected (Republic Road from Winkle going north, Water Side from Philadelphia Street to Tacama turn).

APNU + AFC achievements

“Under the APNU+AFC stewardship, ownership of property became a reality in Angoy’s Avenue. Those who, for whatever reason, were unable to secure their land titles, are now saddled with uncertainty.”

Fraser noted the basketball court is fully lit and the upgraded community grounds happened under the APNU+AFC.

The complete rehabilitation of the Bermine Ground with washrooms, flood lights around the entire ground, bleacher, stage and concrete fence all around the ground.

Esplanade Park was outfitted with a new children’s play area, benabs, benches and lights.

PPP promises yet to be fulfilled and elections gimmick

Burnham Park, which is a major project to develop the latent abilities of our track and field athletes continue to be a non-priority for the PPP. President Ali, according to Fraser, promised at the Emancipation celebration on August 1st 2022 to complete the project before Emancipation Celebrations 2023. “Not surprisingly, and in keeping with the PPP’s attitude towards the people of New Amsterdam, they were once again conned during their own celebration.” To this end the candidate asks, “How and why must we trust Jagdeo and Ali?”

Included in the  PPP’s ‘plan’ is the intention to improve the drainage system of New Amsterdam, and reduce flooding in flood prone areas such as Vryman’s Erven, Fraser pointed out. He recalled Rose Hall and Corriverton having drainage pumps for years, while New Amsterdam had none, until recently, when the Government was called out on it. “One is now being installed, albeit temporarily, as an election gimmick.”

Provide the evidence

Fraser has challenged the government to release the Flood Assessment Report for 2020 conducted by the United Nations Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CEDEMA) to let Guyanese see the recommendations and compare them with implementations. He also wants the report to be read in the National Assembly.

Calling the PPP’s bluff, Fraser asked the government to reveal the plan and show how it will be funded since he “did not hear of this expenditure being part of the 2023 budgetary allocations.” He questioned whether Jagdeo is prepared to break the law to execute this plan.