Political parties are winding down their campaigning ahead of Monday’s elections. The APNU will officially close off its campaign on Saturday with a final rally at the Square of the Revolution.

But last evening, party officials were in the gold mining town of Mahdia in Region 8, where APNU Presidential candidate Aubrey Norton spoke about getting more small contractors from the region to benefit from the country’s resources.

He said a Government under his watch will ensure a fairer share of Government contracts with small contractors being awarded at least 25% of the contracts.

Norton said the current Government has been handing out contracts to friends and families, while other more experienced persons were ignored. He said such a practice would not continue under an APNU government.

“Contracts have to stop being just for family, friends and favorites. Contracts under the APNU coalition, will go to the people that are more competent and capable and we intend to train you, to become competent contractors and benefit from the resources of Guyana,” Mr. Norton said.

He said contractors should not have to leave the Coast to execute works in the hinterland, saying government’s failure to train contractors around the country has deprived persons living in the hinterland from benefiting from government contracts.

“We are saying this to you, we want quality roads, we don’t want PPP roads and what will we do? The constitution provides for 25% of contracts to go to small contractors, we are saying to you that we are going to come to your community, we are going to train contractors and they will get contracts,”Mr. Norton promised.

According to the APNU leader, while his party will also embark on an infrastructure programme, it will be different from what is being done currently. He believes that the PPP is overspending the country’s oil resources on infrastructure.

“We also intend to cut out this ignorance is doing, they are taking all the oil money and putting it into infrastructure and they are not doing proper infrastructure. Our approach will be 75% of the money that comes from oil will be utilized for the development of the people and of new industries so that you can benefit and the other 25% will be in the natural resource fund,” Norton stated.

Mr. Norton also promised a modern agriculture sector for all regions, especially the hinterland, where he noted the import cost for produce remains extremely high.

Norton also encouraged all eligible voters to head to the polls and cast their ballot for his party on Monday.

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