Dear editor,
PLEASE permit me to share my views on some of the issues that are pushed, peddled, misinformed, misguided, and misleading that are coming from the opposition parties, and in particular the main opposition WIN party and its leader.
Since the WIN party became the main opposition, I have stayed silent and away from making comments or highlighting anything about them because I was observing what they really are and if they are going to be an effective opposition like the once now defunct AFC party.
First of all, we all know that the leader of the main opposition is a person of interest knowing that he is sanctioned by the U.S. and has many cases before the courts, including extradition proceedings.
The support for that party and its leaders, for me, stems from the Lamborghini story, where young people and a host of opposition supporters felt he should have those luxury vehicles without paying his rightful share of taxes.
Anyway, I don’t want to deal a lot with that because his party formation is indeed on that story, and his running for high office is because he has lost one of the biggest investments in the oil and gas sector, which he was part of.
But my reflection on this main opposition over the past year tells me that this party started just as the AFC did, but the AFC was guided by principles, which they no longer have after betraying the people of this country for personal political power and self-gain.
Yes, the now main opposition leader and his cabals are running all over like the Road Runner. As soon as someone calls, he is there, even if their latrine falls because of the rain or heavy wind.
Mr. Mohamed is playing a serious game with this nation by being a grasshopper in all the communities, as if he is truly representing the people and wants the best for them. No, he wants the best for himself at this moment because of the pending extradition awaiting him.
I saw him going into Berbice and targeting mainly the agricultural sector and trying all sorts of things to ensure he gains the support of the people by highlighting issues which are welcome, but by putting in his own piece to feel good about it.
Those who know me know that I say it as it is, and yes, some of the issues he highlighted needed to be highlighted because the persons employed to ensure that they listen to the people and help in resolving issues are acting as lords, and that is why the people cannot have the service that the government wants them to. Many of those employees, when sending their reports to their superiors, polish it up like if nothing is wrong on the ground. When the matter meets the ministers, only then do you know that they are bare-faced liars.
Yes, and maybe the Opposition Leader doesn’t know that every country in the world has problems, and Guyana is no exception. Maybe he is closing his eyes to that or is being fooled.
I am not writing to defend anyone or any ministry or the government, but I am saying it as it is because Azruddin Mohamed feels Guyanese are easy to fool, or they are fools.
Let me say this to you, Mr. Mohammed, and maybe you were told of me, but I am me, and I say it as it is to anyone, and I stand for the people, not myself. You are wasting your time trying to get the crumbs from the issues.
I was an AFC strongman; the PPP and PNC know it, and yes, as the strongman, I was targeted by both the PNC and PPP, and that’s not a secret. As a strong politician, I was controversial, as many put it. I was targeted to bring me down. Even my relatives were used to target me. Ask PPP members Jaffarally and Harry Gill what they were doing. Despite these efforts, I never gave up.
A few times, I tried to make contact with you to put you in your place, but no avenue was available. In fact, I sent you messages on Facebook and tried calling but got no response. So, I don’t have to hide that. I am me.
I say the above to ensure you know who I am when you have someone to write your letter to respond to me, which I believe you are going to.
Now, take this and smoke it in your pipe because the PPP will remain in power for a long time because of their developmental agenda for the people and the country.
I am not saying this because of anything or gain, I am saying this because I saw and experienced what took place between 2015 – 2020 under the then APNU+AFC government.
Leading up to the 2015 elections, the AFC was heated in political matters and promised the people, especially farmers, sugar workers, and the working class, a better life. After they got into power, they kicked the hell-out-ah-skelter of the people.
The PNC and AFC lied so badly to the people of this country by promising them a good life.
Almost all the ministries were non-functional. The only ministry that could make our nation survive was doing nothing to ensure our people got adequate food on the table. The agriculture sector was almost dead and buried.
I want to tell you since you are shouting out loud as if you know or any of your MPs know about agriculture. In 2020 when the PPP was declared the winner, from that very minute, I was looking to see who they are going to put to head this important agriculture ministry and when they publicly declare the minister, I was overwhelmed because I knew he is for the people and knew of agriculture.
Also, I want you to know and ask that minister about how much I criticised him. I don’t have to praise him today.
From Day One, that very minister went on the ground, and you know where he went? He went to Region Five, the largest agricultural region in this country. I was surprised when some AFC members informed me that the new agriculture minister was on the ground in Region Five. Knowing me, I followed him through the region to hear what he had in mind to ensure the sector does not fail.
Former Minister Holder visited this region maybe twice in his five-year term, and the visits were comic shows because it was about pressuring the rice farmers by raising the land rental and D&I charges.
From that very day that Minister Mustapha visited, I kept following his works to know if he was the same as Holder. But, no, he made a commitment to help the farmers, and the next day, those promises were fulfilled.
The AFC supporters and farmers in the region also gained in those outreaches that day, and yet they spread lies about not being involved and having anything. This is the only way PNC is going to gain support, and now you’re doing the same to your people.
From 2020 to present, we have seen a robust agricultural sector in all regions. We have seen improved agricultural productivity and infrastructures that are benefiting the farmers every day, no matter which political party they are supporting.
Mr. Mohamed, you have been running around telling farmers that the ministry doesn’t care about them, but you failed to tell them that it’s the opposition that has failed the sector over the years.
Ask those very people what they ever got from the PNC government between 2015 and 2020. Ask those very landowners if they ever had their lands cleared by the then government. Ask the rice farmers if they have ever had their irrigation system looked into. Ask the cash crop farmers if they have ever had any assistance. Ask the fisherfolk what they ever got to better their industry. Ask the cattle farmers what they got to better their sector.
I can go on, but it’s a waste of time to speak to an amateur opposition leader who only knows about evading taxes, under-the-table business, etc.
Today, you want to lecture us on agriculture and question the agriculture minister on this sector and his spending to better the sector.
I would urge you to study Guyana’s agriculture sector and how it was during those days. Let me remind you that former President Burnham was encouraging citizens to plant what they eat, but in 2015-2020, those very people were trying to kill the nation through starvation by not supporting agricultural development.
You failed to understand and realise that this sector is important to our economy after the oil and gas sector, which you have your eyes on.
I don’t want to say more on this, but I want you to know that the agriculture sector is going to always have problems because we are seeing and experiencing climate change, which you know nothing about.
Brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled again by any Third Force because we have seen and experienced first-hand who they really are.
If you are for the people and know what can better the sector that you seem to be so passionate about, then here is an open invitation to join me for a television programme in Berbice. Let’s talk about agriculture. I’m also willing to provide transportation and meals.
I am calling on you as the Opposition Leader to stop running around like a Road Runner and start acting in a responsible manner by sharing genuine information.
The agriculture sector is on the rise, and under this government and minister, no matter what you do or say, it won’t stop progress.
I can recall Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo saying that Guyana has some really stupid people. He is correct. The main opposition parties have a lot (no offence).