Nagamootoo promises ‘Day of National Embrace’ after E-Day

-urges supporters to remain calm and respectful  

Enthusiastic APNU+AFC supporters at New Amsterdam on Saturday night.

With exactly one week to elections day, the recently formed coalition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) has called on supporters to refrain from engaging in any untoward act to disturb the peace of the nation or even provoke anyone. As the ‘battle’ to garner votes intensifies, the coalition’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday urged supporters to be agents of peace and to remain calm and to resist all acts of provocation as polling day draws closer. During a fiery delivery to thousands, who gave him a rousing welcome at the party’s rally at Stelling Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Nagamootoo said that their focus is more than just winning the elections, but rather to unite the people of Guyana. Peace and stability, he explained, is high on his party’s agenda. After speaking at length about the party’s recently unveiled Manifesto, Nagamootoo said, “We are not wasting time. We have a compass and a plan for our people and we are telling you these things because as we go down the last days towards May 11, we need you to be disciples, we need you to be the apostles.” “We need you to be the ones to spread the good word that under a new government there is something for everyone, a better life for all the people,” he said to the roaring crowd. Nagamootoo said while they are celebrating the coming of a “new government”, Guyanese must understand that they are celebrating for all of Guyana. “We don’t want anyone to pee in the cup. No matter how angry you are, you are supposed to respect the symbol of other parties as we expect them to respect our symbols. We must respect their flags and posters, we are not going to touch them because they can have more flags than us, more posters than us, but they will not have more votes than us.” To this, cheers emanated from every section of the crowd. “My message to you is that of a peacemaker…When they try to provoke you, turn away from their provocation and tell them that you have a mission that this is a Guyana revolution, the revolution for national unity, a revolution for a new Guyana.” Nagaamootoo made it clear that what he spoke of was a ‘silent’ revolution. The long standing politician reminded that there are Observers in Guyana from around the world and that the might of the people will ultimately be expressed by ballot on May 11. “The election process has started and we are confident that you will vote for unity,” the politician expressed. Nagamootoo told the thousands that gathered that should the coalition be victorious come May 11, they will name a symbolic ‘Day of National Embrace’ to reaffirm unity amongst the six peoples of the country. “We go down these last few days the road of peace and unity and after this election I can promise you that my new president David Granger will gladly agree to name a day, a symbolic day which we will call the ‘Day of National Embrace’ when we can hold the hands of all our brothers and sisters to unite across race and political division,” he said. The Prime Ministerial candidate made no qualms as he urged his supporters to “Vote like a boss.” The Prime Ministerial candidate’s call for peace comes at a time when the PPP/C is claiming disrespect from APNU+AFC supporters. The former had accused the coalition of carrying out planned attacks during public meetings. The latest of these accusations came after a PPP/C public meeting in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Wednesday evening, when persons threw rocks and bottles at the speakers, including Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon. On the other hand there have been counter-accusations hurled at the PPP/C for acts of intimidation and abuse as well as the hanging of effigies of APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial and Presidential Candidates. Additionally, Nagamootoo, who grew up at Whim, Corentyne, Berbice reminded Berbicians of the neglect they received under the current administration and said that Guyana deserves a government that will cater to all. He said it was time for change and spoke highly of the party’s recently unveiled Manifesto as he lashed out at former President Bharrat Jagdeo for his criticisms of the document. He asked Berbicians whether they support a 20 percent wage increase for police ranks along with 10 percent increases for teachers, nurses and other public servants, were wastes of time. The crowd cheered loudly in agreement with Nagamootoo, making their demand also for the toll at the Berbice River Bridge to be reduced by half. Nagamootoo took to task the health care system which has resulted in women delivering babies in hospitals where they have no confidence. He expressed concern too of the instances where women are sleeping “two and three in a bed” while the current leaders are living it up at a five star hotel. He urged Berbicians to vote to restore trust in public hospitals. Just recently the New Amsterdam Public Hospital became the centre of a protest action orchestrated by the relatives of patients who complained that a patient died after being starved at the institution. Nagamootoo promised betterment for Berbicians and highlighted his party’s intention to set up the Public Procurement Commission which will supervise and scrutinise every project so that no one can take 10 or 15 percent; ensure integrity laws and set up a tribunal to investigate officials of the governing party and the questionable wealth that they have attained.