Region 10’s Jermaine Figueira asks PPP where were the bright ideas for 23 years

In what appeared as one of the most

precise and straight forward presentations

so far during the budget debates,

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament for Region 10,

Jermaine Figueira told the National Assembly

that he is confident that the new government

will do right for the youths of Guyana.

Figueira spoke about the realities

facing the citizens of his community

and other parts of Guyana as he challenged the Opposition

to go beyond being “angry and bitter”.

During his maiden presentation to the National Assembly,

the Region 10 Member of Parliament said

Guyana will now be in a better position

to move forward now that

“the fish bone in our throat has been removed

and that monkey is no longer on our backs”.

He said under the PPP time in office,

citizens of Region 10 were marginalized

and stifled of development.

According to Figueira,

the community of Region 10 is now breathing

“with a renewed hope and

unrelenting aspirations

towards our development”.

The Linden resident

made an uninterrupted 19-minute contribution

to the ongoing budget debates

and while he set out several plans

for the development of the region,

he was keen on advising the opposition People’s Progressive Party

that its support was necessary.

Figueira said while he accepts criticisms

when they are warranted,

it is his belief that those

that have emanated from the opposition benches

over the last two days are no doubt

birthed out of anger

and are of a myopic perspective.

The Member of Parliament noted that the PPP

has found itself on the “deserving side” of the House

having neglected the region for over two decades

because of its support for the now sitting government.

He chastised the PPP for now

pretending to have all the answers

to develop Guyana when it would have 

squandered opportunities during its 23 years in office.

“Region 10 wants to be the leader

in creating employment opportunities for Guyanese

and provide a skilled work force

to meet the demands of the vast development that Guyana

will be experiencing this year

and the years to come

under this rainbow of hope, coalition government”

Mr. Figueira said the new government

has accomplished many things in its first 100 days

that the previous government did not do in five years.

He pointed to the increase in the old age pension

and said even his 85-year-old grandfather

showcased a brighter “denture smile”

when he learnt that pensioners

will now be getting $17,000 per month

in their  old age pension.

He said he is confident that under the APNU+AFC government,

the youths of Guyana will see

more employment and development.

According to Figueira,

many communities across Guyana are faced

with the problem of youth unemployment.

The National Assembly was told by Figueira

that there will be a fresh approach

to issues of concern to youths.