Dear Editor
VOLDA Lawrence, Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform, stands by her views on the issue of jobs and unemployment, that measures are being put in place for the young and industrious to be afforded the opportunity of becoming self-employed or gaining meaningful employment.

Cde. Lawrence also stands by her views that comrades must educate and position themselves to be in the 20% bracket that will be afforded government contracts. Cde. Lawrence also stands by her views that we must become bi-lingual as the world is now smaller and Guyana fast becoming a haven to people from countries near and far. Cde. Lawrence emphasised that if the Coalition wants to remain in power after 2020, we must take better care of all Guyanese.

Cde. Lawrence has called for absolute unity, stating categorically that there is no more Joe’s Camp or Basil’s Camp but one Camp led by His Excellency David Arthur Granger. The Chairman also called for an end to the complaining, saying if we project negativity then we would not be able to influence others. The Chairman stated that government has made it possible for everyone to get a chance at succeeding in their endeavours by giving small contractors 20 per cent of government contracts. The playing field is now level for all Guyanese, the Chairman iterated.

Cde. Lawrence reflects on the number of complaints she had received of leaders who did not put in the work and the feeling of neglect amongst party cadres and stated categorically this must not be!

Cde. Lawrence also wishes to shed light on the issue of attracting support from non-traditional bases and emphasized that she was a Guyanese with mixed heritage and it irked her when she gets reports that little or no work is being done in perceived strongholds of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic. The Chairman stated we must bring everyone in, whether they looked like her or not. Cde. Lawrence has a team working to develop an application whereby all Guyanese can make their complaints and these will be forwarded directly to the agencies responsible for remedying complaints. Cde. Lawrence stated that she will ensure that the relevant authorities and agencies respond to these complaints even if she has to go to them herself.

Cde. Lawrence wishes to remind the Guyanese people of many successes of the Coalition Government namely: (1) Increased public servants salaries by 37%; (2) reduced the PPP imposed VAT from 16 per cent to 14 per cent.

(3) Passed the Telecommunications Bill; (4) Restored decency and cleanliness to Georgetown; (5) Held Local Government Elections; (6) Restored law and order; (7) Established the Public Procurement Commission; (8) Increased Old Age Pension by over 50 per cent from $13,125 to $21,000, now proposed to be over 22,000; (9) Increased minimum wage from $39,540 to $55,000, now proposed to be $64,200;

(10) Increased the tax threshold from $50,000 to $60,000; (11) Built and resurfaced roads and bridges all across Guyana?; (12) Restored a credible international image to Guyana; (13) Robustly defended Guyana’s territorial integrity; (14) Passed the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Act; (15) Established three new towns; (16) Opened hinterland community radio stations; (17) Reduced the Berbice Bridge toll; (18) Improved potable water access and reliability; (19) Installed pedestrian overpasses; (20) Built Kitty roundabout

Yours in Guyana’s service
Cde. Volda Ann Lawrence
Chairman, People’s National Congress Reform