Alliance For Change Press Conference – Wednesday December 14, 2011

1. The AFC calls for a tripartite partnership in fighting poverty
Read by Khemraj Ramjattan, Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC)

Development for Guyana means economic, political and social transformation in the shortest period of time. This transformation implies not only rapid economic growth, but also political and economic freedoms, eradication of poverty, sustainable and eco-friendly use of natural resources, access to opportunities for all ethnic groups, and gender equality.

The AFC is also calling for the establishment of a tripartite Committee to address the vexing question of poverty reduction. As the AFC campaign in the run up to the November 28 election, images of Plastic City in Vreed-en-Hoop, Pigeon Island in Mon Repos, Tiger Bay in Georgetown, D Field in Sophia, Topoo in Albion and many more shanty towns around the country especially in the Hinterland, crowded hospital beds with two patients confined to a bed, and wholesale inequality in the distribution of the wealth of the nation abound. This lopsided developmental agenda of the PPP has resulted in an unacceptable high level of poverty in our homeland. What we found is even worse occurrences of poverty among the elderly and the hinterland villages.

It would not be recommended that the minority PPP Government continue to not seriously address the poverty concerns of these two vital communities – the pensioners and the Amerindian villages, to bring rapid relief to the growing number of poor in the society. In this regard we recommend that the PPP Government conduct production audits in all the Amerindian villages to help them set up cottage industries in which they have highest productivity and use the resources of the state (the GDF Sky Van) to bring these produce in a timely manner to the coastal markets for resale using the infrastructure of the NEW GMC. Most of these resources should be used to support the pensioners, disabled and those in need of social assistance at heavily discounted prices to survive the battle against poverty while earning critical dollars for the hardworking Amerindian people who genuinely need a financial break.

In addition to all the other areas already raise by the APNU and the PPP, the AFC strongly believed as we engage in Constitutional reforms, Police reforms, ethnic relations reforms and all other types of reforms, the poorest of the poor cannot wait for targeted assistance and thus we would must act now by providing real relief immediately, while we conduct our work in parallel channels at the other reforms of national importance.


2. APNU/AFC MEETING, Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Read by Raphael Trotman, Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC)

Representatives of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) met again yesterday to continue the exploratory process of a creating a sustainable framework for joint engagement in the National Assembly, and the shaping of a common agenda that takes into account the needs of the Guyanese people, their expectations, and the Parties’ commitments made during the just concluded campaign.

Most importantly, the representatives discussed a wide range of issues that address governance, and the economic wellbeing of the state and its citizens. These included wide-ranging parliamentary reforms leading to a strong and participatory National Assembly, support for the strengthening of the rule of law, the lowering of the Value Added Tax, and increasing public service wages, among the most urgent. Increases in Old Age Pension, increase of public sector wages and a re-examination of the Presidents’ Pension package were also listed for review.

In the interest of continuing the discussions with a view to arriving on a consensual agenda and building a healthy relationship within the National Assembly, two sectoral working groups, in the areas of governance and the economy, were established to fast-track the process. The issue of the appointment of the Speaker of the National Assembly, and other important roles and responsibilities, remain under active discussion for resolution not as isolated items, but as part of a fuller menu of agreed measures. The two parties agreed to continue to meet and deepen their engagement and remain committed to fulfilling the mandate the people of Guyana.


3. Be your brother’s keeper
Read by Gerhard Ramsaroop, Executive Member of the Alliance for Change (AFC)

The AFC condemns the incidents of verbal and physical intimidation between our main ethnic groups coming out of the recent elections, both in our daily physical lives and on the internet. The AFC wishes to remind all those intent on these practices that the main political parties in the recent elections, and the AFC most particularly, enjoyed multi-ethnic support. Therefore, no one’s political allegiance ought to assumed simply based on their appearance.

The African Guyanese supporter of APNU must recognise that had it not been for high profile Indians such as Rupert Roopnarine in their leadership, and more importantly, the thousands of Indians who voted for the AFC, and not forgetting the overseas keyboard warriors and donors who dug deep in their pockets, we would not have had the opportunity we have today for political unity and curbing the corrupt and inept PPP. The Indian Guyanese supporter of the PPP must recognise that had it not been for the blatant marginalisation and injustices meted out to African Guyanese by successive Jagdeo administrations, they would not have felt so excluded and hurt.

The AFC urges African Guyanese to continue to be on the right side of history, as when they were side by side with Indian Guyanese under Walter Rodney, when they showed compassion for the political plight of Indian Guyanese and said, “Give Jagan a chance” in 1992, when they voted for the AFC in 2006, again in 2011, and last but not least, those protestors who continue to hold the peace. Indian Guyanese, in turn, must recognise the right of African Guyanese to peaceful protest and show compassion for a people who have suffered the most in our history – not only during the colonial period, but also under both the PNC and PPP. It must also be recognised that GECOM’s shortfalls, such as the last minute changing of polling stations, and misguided arrogance, such as when they failed to state that the Statements of Poll will be made accessible on the first day objections were raised, is equally to be blamed for the tension that exists today.

However, the AFC takes pride that those who voted for the AFC lie in almost perfect proportion to the ethnic makeup of our country, African, Indian, Amerindian, and together they prevented either of the main ethnicities from dominating as they have done in the past. The AFC therefore repeats to the nation, the war is over - we must be our brother’s keeper.

End.