PPP unpacks E’bo Coast election promises, again hints at Azruddin Mohamed likely “taken away” to U.S.

Last Updated on Sunday, 27 July 2025, 12:39 by Writer

In an all-out desperate appeal to Essequibo Coast residents not to risk again allowing the opposition to slip back into power, the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) unveiled what appears to be its biggest package of election campaign promises so far.

PPP presidential candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali went as far as pledging that if re-elected in the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections, his government would help to plough money into rice production amid lingering concerns about lower than expected prices for paddy. “Let me tell you this. We are not done yet. We will ensure that rice is successful and profitable here in Essequibo and everywhere else. You can be assured (that) if subsidy is needed, so be it. You will get it under the People’s Progressive Party Civic government,” he told a rally held at Anna Regina Market Square.

He banked on his administration’s record of providing GY$300 per bag of paddy, fertiliser, seed paddy and crop insurance against droughts and floods, free ferry transportation for paddy, and a prompt payment system.

Looking ahead, the President said if re-elected, his government would invest in opening new lands, farm to market roads, and equipment and machinery, subsidies for home construction, construction of a modern port with cold storage at Charity, Pomeroon to facilitate exports to the Caribbean, a cricket stadium similar to the one at Providence, East Coast Demerara, an all-weather football turf at Charity, recreational parks, community centres, a studio for performing arts, a modern dialysis centre to support Essequibo Coast residents, and a four-lane road with concrete drains. Dr Ali said other future plans for the Essequibo Coast include the establishment a faculty of engineering as well as a laboratory and medical school to train residents there to become doctors.

Also promised were the removal of taxes on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and outboard engines up to 150 horse power, and the substantial reduction in duty on four-door pickups. Small and community foresters would also receive incentives to own equipment. The PPPC also intends to make the Essequibo Coast a special investment zone with “special preferential tax incentives” to attract more investments.

As is now customary at PPP rallies and community meetings, there was a heavy focus on the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood political party Azruddin Mohamed who continues to attract reasonable turnouts at meetings and outreaches. “He is a present and future danger to the security of this country,” Dr Ali said of Mr Mohamed who has been sanctioned by the United States for tax evasion on gold exports.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s 2nd Vice President, told party faithful at the mammoth turnout that Mr Mohamed could be sent to the U.S. Saturday’s remark was Mr Jagdeo’s second such hint in as many days that Mr Mohamed could be taken to the U.S. to face the justice system “for other reasons”.

President Ali called on Essequibians to rally around the PPP because the opposition was “relentlessly pursuing” Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) as a “soft target”. In clear reference to WIN, whose party colour is blue, Dr Ali warned PPP supporters against buckling to that new political party. “Those parading in blue don’t have a clue about anything. Yes, they can parade in brand new shirts, but let me tell you, do not fall for their trickery,” he said. He added that WIN was part of the “same team” whose aim is to remove the PPP from power.

Appealing to Essequibo Coast residents not to be distracted and lured into a false sense of short-term security by handouts of GY$50,000 and outboard engines, the PPP General Secretary advised them to think about their future after Mr Mohamed is no longer around. “What happens after the $50,000 goes and when he might be taken away by the Americans for a long vacation in the U.S.”

The Alliance For Change had managed to chip away at the PPP’s support base in Berbice and Essequibo, resulting in a minority government in 2011 and a one-seat majority government in 2015 through a coalition with the People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity. “Elections are about risk and if you’re not careful, there is a risk that you can suffer; a risk that will harm you and your families,” he said. He said APNU and AFC had teamed up with WIN to ensure the PPP loses its parliamentary majority but that would not happen.

Though confident of an “overwhelming victory” Mr Jagdeo said if Mr Mohamed were to be elected to office, Guyana’s sovereignty would be at risk especially given the U.S. support for Guyana against Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo Region.