Momentum builds at Damon Square… PPP/C led Govt. will transform Guyana into a Caribbean Power-Ramotar

RISK the future of Guyana in the hands of the political opposition or return the PPP/C to Office with an overwhelming majority and nation will continue along its growth trajectory transforming the country into a Caribbean power. 

These were among the messages and sentiments taken to the Cinderella County, Essequibo, when the leadership of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) along with none other than Head of State, Donald Ramotar, staged a massive rally at Anna Regina.
DAMON SQUARE
Thousands converged at the historic Damon Square, transforming the landscape into a kaleidoscope of PPP/C colours, black, red, yellow and white.
Supporters donned the numerous versions of the party apparel as the election jingles blared intermittently as the various speakers took the podium.
The President was welcomed to the podium by the exuberant gathering and spoke of his party’s vision for the nation once re-elected to office.
Ramotar was adamant in his presentation that the PPP/C intends through its various strategic investments over the years, working in tandem with new ones; transform Guyana into a Caribbean power.
He spoke to his optimism that in the near future Guyana will become an oil and gas producing nation.
When this becomes a reality, according to Ramotar, it will create thousands of high paying jobs.
ECONOMIC FORTUNES
Pointing to the track record of his government in office, the President noted that not only has the economic fortunes of the country been reversed over the years from the time of the previous administration to reflect a positive balance but over the past nine years there has been sustained economic growth.
Guyana, according to Ramotar is currently the fastest growing country in the Caribbean. Expanding further on his party’s commitment to, and vision for the country, the President spoke of plans to transform Guyana into an investment friendly destination, not as a result of cheap labour but rather an educated work force.
He said that a re-elected PPP/C in Office will place greater emphasis on education and training particularly in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) fields.
Ramotar reminded too of his recent visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who committed to establishing an ICT Centre of Excellence in Guyana that will also serve as the Headquarters in the Caribbean and South America.
OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS
Speaking directly to Essequibians, at the Damon Square Rally, the President spoke of recent developments such as the Marriott Hotel and the recently commissioned Synthetic Track and said, very soon Government will be building an indoor sport facility.
“You too can become Olympic champions,” Ramotar exhorted.
Using the opportunity to once again level criticisms against the political opposition over its stances in the 10th Parliament, to as the President put it, stymie Guyana’s development, he promised that once re-elected to Office, the PPP/C will build the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Plant.
He reminded of the numerous benefits of such a project such as the reduced generation costs and its redound effect to each Guyanese including the business sector.
Speaking to his rationale for calling an early election and the significance of May 11, 2015, the President called on the Essequibian supporters to vote solidly behind the PPP/C.
“We must have the biggest victory in the history of the country,” said Ramotar as he pledged his party’s continued service to the nation.
MAMMOTH CROWDS
Accompanied on the campaign trail by his running mate, Elisabeth Harper, the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, has clearly grown more accustomed to the mammoth crowds, no longer timid or bashful.
Harper rose to her feet during her introduction to the Damon Square gathering and waved and gyrated with the crowd, obviously and vociferously ecstatic over her presence in Essequibo.
Making a clarion call for Essequibians to vote solidly behind the PPP/C, the Prime Ministerial Candidate was tasked with outlining a number of the her party’s proposal once re-elected to Office.
She spoke of a Special Development Fund for the Region in addition to the critical support that Government has showing to rice farmers in the locale.
According to Harper, with another victory for the PPP/C, Peace Progress and Prosperity can continue in Guyana and that come May 11, the choice to be made is clear.
She even cautioned, “don’t spoil your vote,” in reference to persons taking the time out on Election Day, to, while preparing their ballot to be cast, ensuring the ‘X’ is placed where it should be in the manner prescribed.
Harper announced too that in addition to sustaining the gains made over the years, the PPP/C will be placing heavy emphasis on ICT and Education among a host of other initiatives meant at job creation.
SUPENAAM POLYCLINIC 
She said too that very shortly the PPP/C will be building a state of the art polyclinic at Supenaam.
Speaking to some of the tangible gains made over the years and of note to Essequibians, Harper pointed to the two new Chinese Roll On/ Roll Off Ferries that have been servicing the Parika Supenaam routes, effectively connecting Essequibo to the rest of the country.
This service, she said, will soon be complemented with additional ones, this time with the help of the Indian Government as had been negotiated by Ramotar during his recent visit to India and his meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
According to Harper, a re-elected PPP/C Government will be placing greater emphasis on education , training, incentives for investments, employers the establishment of industrial parks and a host of other diver initiatives.
VENEZUELA THREAT 
Having served as Ambassador General, for a number of years, Guyana’s top diplomat, the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, also used the opportunity to publicly address Essequibians on a matter of sovereignty and essentially repeated the clarion call ‘not a blade of grass’ as she spoke to the Venezuelan territorial claim to Essequibo.
According to Harper, the PPP/C Government will be steadfast in its defence of Guyana’s territory against the Venezuela claim and reiterated a commitment to exhausting diplomatic means with a view to finding a solution.
DAMON DESCENDANT 
Another of the impassionate presentations at yesterday’s rally at Damon Square came from none other than a descendant of the Revolutionary, in whose honour the Square was renamed.
Colonel Damon, a son of the Essequibian soil and former Member of Parliament for the PPP/C were among the first of the afternoon’s speakers.
He boasted proudly that the ‘Cup’ represents progressive. According to Damon, both Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo now of the Alliance for Change (AFC) came out of the ‘Cup’ and were now trying to upturn the ‘Cup,’ “but the cup will never fail.”
The Cup, according to Damon, is a symbol of progress in Guyana and urged supporters to identify the cup on the ballot paper before placing their ‘X’ and not be confused by the convoluted symbolisms representing the political opposition
Coming off the heels of a similarly massive rally staged by the coalesced A Partnership for national Unity (APNU) and AFC combination, the Essequibo Coast is clearly in an electioneering mode as part paraphernalia punctuated with the coastline with flags from both of the key parties contesting this election on full display.
Even the Damon Square monument saw the colours of the coalition flying high even as the PPP/C rally progressive.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo who was also among the speakers at yesterday’s event called it a desecration of the monument on the part of the coalition.
Yesterday’s PPP/C rally attracted one of its larger gatherings since the beginning of the Campaign season 2015 General and Regional Elections and also fielded former opposition members who have since ventured to the fold of the PPP/C.
One such speaker urged those gathered to think about the future of the country and the fate of their children and children’s children when determining where to cast their votes this year.
He urged those present to go home and have salient conversations with their families over the fate of the country.
“If you are sincere you would not have a hard time deciding,” urged the former AFC supporter who told the gathering the choice to be made come May 11, 2015, is clear in that the electorate must return the PPP/C to political power.

By Gary Eleazar