Dear Editor,
What a time to choose to be caught napping. But trust the PNC, they have no “kina” and they will indulge in polluting the truth by painting the untruth with tall tales of perjurious prevarications. The “Grinchier” ain’t know that he is no stranger as a “sanctimonious” ranger? PNC participants had their preplanned, premeditated and presumptuous party for the election prize all the time in the mills and they know that the world know it. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on 5th March 2020, “Mr. Granger declared victory, days after the vote but international electoral observers said counting in Guyana’s most populous electoral district, Region Four, had been “interrupted” and was “incomplete”.”
Do not underestimate their (PNC) carefully, calculated and conceited words underlined with preposterous insinuations, “Tonight, APNU and AFC have come to tell you thanks.” Thanking their members for making them lose the election? “Over the next five years, we are going to make life better for you.” Only by governing the country can they have an opportunity to make that promise a reality, not by occupying the seat as the Opposition. “We are serious about our promises to you.” If they had the golden chance as the Government, they would have squandered all the oil revenue to fulfil a dream. “We want you to have a better life.” Indeed, the PNC know how to rape the Treasury when they are in control to satisfy their greed and personal needs. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” True, the PNC always glibly, gleamingly and gloriously cheered with “Bottoms up” when they ruled, while kissing babies’ “bottoms” to fool the rest of their innocent victims as they parade in a charade of pretentious premonitions.
While the PNC remain alienated to the Gospel truth, homo sapiens with earthly grounding are enjoying the festive season through the generous warmth spread by a trustful PPP/C Government. As the joy of the holiday continues to tinkle with the sound of the cashiers’ registers, ringing bells of gloom echo the PNC sadness of doom as this December month promises a repetition of more of the same, come next year. Being at their wits end, the PNC are fully aware that they will continue to have night mares of continuous disillusion for a long time to come. Many will succumb to the urge of spending permanent “White Christmas” as they chuck in the towel and throw up their hands in despair in the air!
Some things just don’t change and the minute you give certain people power, they begin to reveal their true color. The first thing the PNC did when they snatched the reign by a marginal, disputed 1 seat majority in 2015 was, to pat themselves on the back. A callous President then, only awarded his own boys and girls with fifty percent and more salary increases. Forgetting the people who put him in power, he told them that they have to wait. Christmas was stolen from the people by The Grinch who performed the role of Scrooge.
You cannot stop a winning team, especially one that is people oriented and always have the real interest of the mass at heart. On the contrary, look at what the PPP/C Government did the minute they hit the floor running in 2020. Finance Minister Ashni Singh reported:
1. A COVID-19 cash grant of $25,000 per household, resulting in over $7.5 billion distributed to families across all ten Regions.
2. Year-end bonuses totaling $1 billion paid in December 2020 to frontline workers in the health sector and the disciplined services.
3. A one-off payment of $25,000 made to all public sector employees in December 2020, placing $2 billion in the hands of almost 60,000 employees.
In 2021, the following were implemented:
1. An increase in the monthly old-age pension from $20,500 to $25,000, providing a total benefit of $4 billion annually to our senior citizens.
2. An increase in public assistance from $9,000 to $12,000 monthly, providing an additional $500 million in annual income support to the beneficiaries of this programme.
3. Special measures announced in August 2021 to provide a one-off grant of $25,000 to all old age pensioners, public assistance recipients, and persons living with disabilities, benefiting some 90,000 persons to the tune of $2.2 billion, along with $200 million of electricity credits provided to the most vulnerable households.
4. Restoration of the Because We Care cash grants to the parents of school age children, increasing the amount provided for each child to $19,000 and extending the programme to children attending private schools. In total, this provided $3.6 billion of direct cash transfers to the parents of 192,000 school children.
5. Needless to say, all these measures accompanied the many other steps taken by our Government to remove the punitive taxes that had been imposed by the APNU/AFC on electricity, water, medical and educational supplies, basic household necessities, and basic construction materials.
The facts speak for themselves and the PNC are at a loss for words, wisdom and worth at this particular juncture in the year when Guyanese exchange gifts and felicitation, hug and kiss, and, party and merry themselves, thanks to the huge heart of the big Leonora guy who hasn’t failed to be Father Christmas for the past consecutive 4 years. Take a look at all the colorful pictures posted and you cannot help observe the peace, joy and happiness that come with the season and the presence of the PPP/C as they distribute bundles of hampers and lighting up the broad smiles on cheerful faces.
You cannot keep a good man down and, as Guyanese say, “From our home to your home, Happy Christmas.” Do have a safe and pleasant holiday as you share a thought for the less fortunate.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.
