The PPP/C has demonstrated a serious disability to lead this beloved country of ours; to develop a society characterised by fairness, justice and equity; and to move us forward, as a nation, on the path to sustainable development and prosperity for all. We must work together to vote it out of government at the next General and Regional Elections constitutionally due in 2025. There is no other viable option.
At its last congress, General Secretary of the PPP/C Bharrat Jagdeo told delegates: “We are now witnessing a new era of transformation, and this transformation has to be led by the PPP, since it was the only political machinery in the country “equipped to do it, based on our history our experience, and our achievements, and I am proud to say that we are led by a young leader, Irfaan Ali who came out of this party.” This is beyond laughable.
However, Guyanese are not unfamiliar with the political rhetoric that usually accompanies political party congresses. However, amidst the cacophony of self- praise and promises of progress, there are statements that demand scrutiny, especially when such statements are uttered by individuals who occupy the highest echelons of power. The proclamation by the General Secretary of the PPP/C that his party is the only capable party to lead the country in its new era of economic growth and transformation warrants a closer examination, not just of their present capabilities, but also of their troubling past and ideological transformations.
Let us be clear: to claim oneself as the only capable party to lead a nation demands more than mere words; it requires a solid foundation of integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of all citizens. Unfortunately, the PPP/C’s track record falls woefully short of such lofty claims.
Under the PPP/C’s reign, Guyana bore witness to a litany of atrocities and injustices that still haunt the collective memory of our nation. Extra- judicial killings, increase in the incidents of various crimes, across the country. Many mothers are still waiting for answers and justice for the disappearance of their sons. In fact, under the PPP/C’s reign one of its Minister, Satyadeow Sawh, his sister Phulmattie Persaud, brother Rajpat Rai Sawh, and security guard, Curtis Robertson were brutally murdered. Years after, (22nd April 2006 to 22nd May 2024) in spite of pleas from relatives, this evil regime has not even as much as pretended to launch an investigation or COI into that heinous crime. The gruesome murders occurred under the Jagdeo presidency, amid a runaway crime spree. Yet, the PPP/C wants people to believe that it is the only party that can lead this country.
Then there is rampant corruption facilitated by corroded financial systems, and weak and diluted state institutions, boards and commissions that were put in place to protect the people’s money and the nation’s resources. Many of these bodies lack the human competencies and technological capabilities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a good example of an extremely weak body. The integrity Commission is another prime example of weak state body.
Corruption is blatant particularly in the award of contracts for infrastructural works. More than 55% of the national budget, which is over one trillion dollars, has been allocated to pouring concrete, wherever there is space. The most recent incident of corruption was the award of $865 Million contract to construct a pump station to Tepui- a company that has no experience or tract record in the area of constructing for which it had tendered; it did not qualify; it was registered in 2022 and tendered for the contract in 2023.
Nevertheless, it was handed the contract for the massive sum. Corruption! In any case, the General Secretary himself was accused of corruption by Zhi Rong Su- a former friend and tenant of Jagdeo. Su had disclosed to VICE News reporters posing as Chinese investors that Jagdeo took ‘cash bribes’ for multimillion dollar contracts and that he, Su, was his middleman. In the interest of transparency there should have been, at the very least, an investigation into this damming allegation; there was none.
More, the PPP/C and their actors/agents are yet to properly account to the Guyanese people, for $4.5 Billion in covid-19 cash grant (first phase). Many Guyanese are still holding ‘pink slips’ waiting for follow-up in the second phase. Where has all the money gone? We are still awaiting a full and thorough audit of billions of dollars taken from the national purse under the guise of helping the poor and vulnerable during the covid crisis. Yet, the PPP/C wants Guyanese to believe that it is the only party that can lead this great country.
This government has been attempting to suppress dissent, in and beyond Guyana. The recent issue with Rickford Burke, an outspoken critic of this government, is a classic example. Unbelievably, the PPP/C government attempted to serve summons to Mr. Burke in the United States of America (USA) and actually claimed that it has a right to derecognise jurisdictions and boundaries and violate national and international protocols to commit that transgression. Whilst they are busy trying to silence dissenting voices their friends and those who sing their praises are given great latitude to carry on with any and all kinds of nonsense. Mikhail Rodrigues also known as the ‘Guyanese Critic’, who is said to be closely associated with the Vice President, is allowed to masquerade himself on social media platform, in the most outrageous and disgusting abusive manner.
His company-Tepui – was handed that contract valued at $865 Million even though it did not qualify. Also, there is moral and ethical corruption. At the moment, the PPP/C, at the highest order of the party has an individual accused of serious misconduct. It is not the first time; it is the second. In 2023, this very individual, former Minister of Local Government and Regional development, Nigel Dharamlall was accused by a 16- year- old school girl of sexual assault. However, that entire sorry situation was managed; the matter disappeared from the public sphere. Now, in 2024 similar accusations of sexual assault and rape against this central executive member of the party, who got more votes than the Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, at the last party congress. It is a moral maze. But the PPP/C wants Guyanese to believe that it is the only country that can lead Guyana.
Even now, as I write this column, our hard- working teachers are fighting for their right to collective bargaining- a right enshrined in our constitution but completely disregarded by the PPP/C. The incumbent is fighting with everything it got to deny our educators this right because it’s a way of keeping them in poverty, and preventing their development. While the regime fights to deny teachers and other public servants this constitutional right, they had a different approach to GAWU. Their supporters reside along the sugar belt; they want to harvest those votes continually. Notwithstanding the fact that the cost of producing sugar is higher than the market price, the government continues to pour billions into that industry; it has been reduced to an implausible political welfare arrangement that is massively consuming precious resources.
Moreover, the recent erasure of Marxist- Leninism from the party’s ideology raises serious questions about its commitment to the principles it evvel espoused. While ideological evolution is not inherently negative, the manner in which the PPP/C has discarded its foundational beliefs without genuine reflection or accountability speaks volumes about its integrity and sincerity. It appears as nothing more than a cynical attempt to rebrand and distance itself from a past stained with authoritarianism and ideological dogmatism.
Clearly, to entrust the reins of leadership to a party with such a tarnished history and dubious motivations would be a grave disservice to the people of Guyana. True leadership requires humility, honesty, and a genuine willingness to learn from past mistakes. It demands accountability for past wrongs and a steadfast commitment to upholding the values of democracy, justice and equality.
As we stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, let us not be swayed by empty rhetoric or partisan allegiances. Let us instead demand leaders who lead by example, who prioritise the needs of the people above personal gain, and who are unwavering in their dedication to building a brighter future for all Guyanese. The PPP/C ‘s assertion of being the best party to lead Guyana rings hollow in the face of its troubled past, its ideological consistencies, and its failure to deliver on the promises of progress and prosperity for all. It is time for a new era of leadership, one grounded in integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to the well- being of our nation and its people.