Ramotar tells Region 1 residents they have been transformed under PPP

President Donald Ramotar took his campaign for re-election to the Region 1 communities of Port Kaituma and Mabaruma on Tuesday, promising more development for amerindian communities across the country.

“You know how much we have done in the interior areas. I was shocked to see a campaign billboard saying ‘It’s time to respect Amerindians’. Really? … The same people who got now on a big sign board are the same ones in Parliament last year who cut the Amerindian Development Fund…They are the same people who say they love you, and cut one of the funds we have to lend fees to students at the University of Guyana and now it’s elections time they (are) telling us about respect. I cannot find a single reason for any interior person to want to vote for the opposition…They did nothing in the past,” Mr. Ramotar said.

The President told the residents that under his watch, the PPP government has been making strides in many of the Amerindian communities.

He told residents that the PPP has been able to deliver quality education and better health services and has also been trying to improve the economy of the villages “and that’s why we have been buying tractors, ploughs, engines and boats, and ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) to improve transportation services; build guest houses for them to host people and promote tourism in their communities; fund cattle rearing and other projects through Presidential Grants and other government support,”

Mr. Ramotar told the residents that they should not trust the APNU+AFC coalition and should vote solidly for the PPP Civic. He accused the opposition of not having no real development plan for the amerindian communities and said hinterland residents need to support his government for continued growth.

During his Region 1 campaign, the President also greeted school children in the community. Many of them were photographed without shoes and with slippers as their choice of school footwear.