Georgetown – The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) marked its first anniversary in office on Monday with President Dr Irfaan Ali promising to defend democracy and uphold human rights in Guyana.
In a nationwide radio and television broadcast to mark the occasion, Ali said that he would also be honouring people and organisations that ensured the country will not have to “endure the agonising and fearful ordeal that we suffered for five months from March 2, 2020 to August 2, 2020
“Never again shall we countenance, in our country, any attempt to deny the popular will of the people,” Ali said.
“Never again should the air of freedom that we breathe be poisoned by the noxious fumes of electoral malpractice, and fraud.
“Never again should our integrity as a nation be threatened by the base motives and the nefarious intrigues of those who will defy the will of the people, and subvert our democracy, and their lust for personal power.”
The PPP/C was declared winners of the elections by the Guyana Electoral Commission (GECOM) after various recounts and court battles.
“We established with resolve that Guyana and the Guyanese people are committed to democracy and democratic principles including respect for the majority.
“That victory was ours, ours as a people longing for peace, progress and prosperity. It was a triumph for rule of law, and democracy and ‘One Guyana’,” Ali said.
“I commend civil society, the private sector, our young people and the media for standing up for democracy.
“I acknowledge with thanks the important part played by members of our diaspora who made their voices heard . . . . I thank CARICOM, the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, and the international community for the steadfast support and for us to regain our rightful place in the global family of democratic nations,” Ali said, singling out the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and European Union for their support.
He said that recognising the importance of energy sufficiency, reliability, affordability and sustainability, the government has commenced investment in the energy sector, aiming for a new generation capacity of at least 500 MW in the immediate term, with the option to expand this further in the longer term.
Ali also disclosed that Guyana has been successful at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with regards its ongoing border dispute with Venezuela and the validity of the 1899 award.
“It is the first step on our way forward to confirming Guyana’s patrimony, and we are proceeding with vigour and confidence to the next stage of the judicial Hearing on the Merits of our Case.”
Ali said that over the past year, despite the challenges, the government has been working to implement a comprehensive plan to transform Guyana into a highly prosperous country, for the benefit of all Guyanese in the shortest possible time.
(CMC)
