October 9, 2024
Washington, DC.
For immediate release to all media houses.
PRESS STATEMENT
ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE HOSTS SUCCESSFUL DIASPORA ENGAGEMENTS IN THE USA.
Members of the Guyana diaspora living in the USA are responding positively to the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) listening and grounding visit to the USA. An AFC delegation headed by the Party Leader Nigel Hughes and including Chairman David Patterson M.P., Executive members Dr. Shamir Ally, Beverley Alert M.P, Catherine Hughes M.P. and advisor Laura George are in the USA as part of the party’s continued engagement with the wider Guyanese society.
In New York, the AFC held meetings in Queens at which youth member of parliament Devin Sears M.P. and long-standing AFC founding member Dr. Rohan Somar, the Party’s Advisor on Oil, Gas and the Environment Dr. Vincent Adams and AFC USA Chapter Chair Ewart Marshall all participated and presented.
Guyanese living in New York expressed their concerns over the wanton government corruption which is taking place in Guyana while several others expressed their disgust at the Government’s shameless disregard for the rule of law and law and order.
At a filled to capacity hall in Queens, NY, Guyanese wanted to know how they can support the call for Constitutional and electoral reforms as well as assist in taking measures to stop the outrageous corruption. Participants noted that the PPP system of doling out cash grants to their supporters reeked of corruption and discrimination. They expressed strong interest in closer collaboration with the AFC in the run up to the next election.
Similar sentiments were expressed at the New York City meeting where questions on possible amendments to the Cybercrime law and its negative impact on freedom of expression were made. Strong concerns were raised about the extraordinarily high cost-of-living which was plaguing Guyanese society.
In his address to members of the diaspora, the AFC Leader outlined priority areas for development, the Party’s commitment to building strong independent institutions, adherence to the rule of law and the AFC’s commitment to cross party medium- and long-term development planning rooted in national consensus. He lamented the failing education system while emphasizing the urgent need for repatriation of knowledge and skills.
Members of the diaspora were surprised to learn from AFC Chairman David Patterson M.P. that Guyana earns USD 8 million per day from oil alone. Many wondered why high levels of poverty still persisted and why the heavy reliance on remittances from the diaspora for survival had not abated. Many were in disbelief at the very poor matriculation rates in Regin 9 coupled with blatantly discriminatory policy which saw only indigenous students being subject to the degrading use of pit latrines in 2024. The persistent high cost of electricity continued to occupy a place of priority in the concerns of the diaspora.
In Washington, Guyanese there were pleased to hear that the AFC met with US State Department officials. Many pledged their support to pressure the current administration for greater, increased transparency and accountability in the use and disbursement public funds. The anomalous and unexplained awards of contracts significantly in excess of engineer’s estimates to companies with little or no relevant experience, was a source of repeated comment and deep concern. The repeated lost opportunities for broad based equitable development of all sectors of the Guyanese society was a source of great lamentation.
The Alliance For Change was encouraged by the pledges of support from the Washington diaspora, many of whom expressed their frustration with working with the current administration and are eagerly awaiting an AFC government come 2025. In addition to these public meetings the AFC also held a number of private meetings with prominent Guyanese living in the USA.
End.
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