Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey C. Norton, has called for a fundamental shift in the allocation of Guyana’s oil resources, warning that more than half of the population continues to live in poverty despite the country’s oil wealth.
In a New Year’s message issued on behalf of the PNCR/APNU, Norton said Guyanese “should have been easily looking forward to a Happy New Year,” but noted that oil revenues are not benefiting a large percentage of the population. “More than fifty percent (50%) of the Guyanese people live in poverty. This is unacceptable and unfortunate in oil rich Guyana. This must change,” he said.
Norton stated that 2026 presents an opportunity to reallocate oil resources so that all Guyanese benefit, urging the government to alter what he described as a pattern of enriching a few while leaving many behind. “The time is nigh when we must ensure that all Guyanese share in our God-given wealth,” he said, adding that with the political will to put people first, such change is achievable.
He said the PNCR/APNU is urging the government to become more people-centred and to prioritize the interests of citizens. Norton also outlined the opposition’s role in 2026, stating that it would continue to expose “corruption, mismanagement, wastage and incompetence” to ensure national resources benefit the population.
Addressing labour issues, Norton said the new year must mark a reversal of what he described as an erosion of workers’ and trade union rights. He stressed the need for strong trade unions in both the public and private sectors, particularly as private enterprise plays a growing role in the economy. “2026 must be the year when we begin the process of recapturing the rights that Guyanese workers have lost and once enjoyed,” he said.
Norton thanked PNCR/APNU members and supporters for their sacrifices and support, noting that while the party faced many challenges, the new year offers an opportunity for organizational strengthening and renewed focus.
He also called for a Guyanese way of life grounded in unity, cooperation, equity, good governance and equal opportunity, and said the PNCR and APNU Coalition would continue to represent national issues with a focus on challenging the government to deliver quality national development. He said the coalition would continue to call out governance practices that conflict with “integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
Norton urged Guyanese not to support those responsible for their continued poverty and called on citizens to act collectively to ensure shared benefits from national wealth. He highlighted the need for improved quality of life for youth, Indigenous peoples, public servants, the business community and all Guyanese, in keeping with democratic values and the country’s oil revenues.
Encouraging public engagement, Norton called on citizens to speak out on issues affecting their lives and livelihoods. “If it is harmful to your peaceful existence or contrary to law, speak up, speak out, let us know and we will represent you,” he said.
He said the APNU Coalition has embarked on a strategic direction rooted in the belief that the Guyanese people are sovereign and deserve effective governance. According to Norton, 2026 will see representation from a coalition team focused on technical competence, experience and the people’s interests, using what he described as a fundamentally different political approach.
Reaffirming the coalition’s position, Norton said Guyana’s human resource remains its most important asset and that oil revenues require strategic planning and implementation to benefit citizens. “You can count on us in 2026 and beyond, to be the solid choice for development focused governance,” he said.
Norton concluded by wishing a Happy New Year to PNCR/APNU members, supporters and all Guyanese.
See full statement below
PNCR/APNU NEW YEAR GREETING
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By Mr. Aubrey C. Norton
Leader of the PNCR and Chairman of APNU
Guyanese should have been easily looking forward to a Happy New Year. Unfortunately, the resources from oil are not meeting a large percentage of the people of Guyana. More than fifty percent (50%) of the Guyanese people live in poverty. This is unacceptable and unfortunate in oil rich Guyana. This must change.
2026 offers us the opportunity to reallocate the resources from oil in a way that the people of Guyana benefit. In this regard, the government should change the pattern of allocation of resources from benefitting the few and making the rich richer and the poor poorer. The time is nigh when we must ensure that all Guyanese share in our God-given wealth. If there is the political will to put people first, then this is easily accomplished. The PNCR/APNU wishes to urge the government to become people-centred and put the people of Guyana first.
In 2026, it is the task of the opposition to continue exposing corruption, mismanagement, wastage and incompetence with the aim of ensuring the resources of the society benefit the people of Guyana.
In 2026, we must see a movement to rescind the trend of eroding the rights of workers and their trade unions. In a society in which private enterprise is playing an increasing role there is need for strong trade unions to promote and protect the rights of the Guyanese workers in both the public and private sectors. In this era when fear replaces good governance there is a greater need for vigilance and trade unions. 2026 must be the year when we begin the process of recapturing the rights that Guyanese workers have lost and once enjoyed.
This opportunity is taken to especially thank all our members and supporters for their continued sacrifices and support over the years. Although we faced many challenges, this new year presents us with an opportunity to rekindle and refocus for organizational strengthening.
This New Year brings us an opportunity to contemplate and pursue a Guyanese way of life that resonates in unity, cooperation, equity, good governance and equal opportunity for all.
The PNCR and APNU Coalition are happy to share that our representation of Guyanese issues will continue in the new year with a resolute focus on challenging government to deliver a quality of national development that empowers and enhances our way of life. We will continue to call out any instance of governance that conflicts with integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law. The Guyanese people and their highest ideals must be a reality unchallenged by corruption and dictatorial myopia. The Guyanese people must know their interest and not support those who are responsible for them being in poverty. We must all act to ensure we all benefit.
Our youth, indigenous peoples, public servants and business communities, and all Guyanese must realize a path forward to a quality of life synonymous with democracy and reflects the tremendous oil wealth we possess.
In this New Year we wish to encourage all Guyanese to become advocates regarding issues that affect their lives and livelihood. If it is harmful to your peaceful existence or contrary to law, speak up, speak out, let us know and we will represent you.
The APNU Coalition has embarked on a strategic direction rooted in our values and belief that the Guyanese people are sovereign and deserve the best government. In 2026, you will see representation from a dynamic coalition team with technical competence, experience and the people’s interest at heart. As political leaders, the ANPU Coalition will represent Guyanese issues using a fundamentally different approach.
We continue to believe that the human resource of Guyana is its most important resource. The advent of tremendous oil revenues requires a thorough strategic plan and implementation to benefit Guyanese. You can count on us in 2026 and beyond, to be the solid choice for development focused governance.
To our members and supporters our journey this New Year is profoundly different, we challenge you to engage our new strategic direction and help lift all Guyanese toward a happy future.
A Happy New Year to all our members, supporters and to all Guyanese.
