President Dr. Irfaan Ali has firmly dismissed businessman Terrence Campbell’s claim that he was approached to be the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) prime ministerial candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
In a Facebook post on Friday, President Ali refuted the claim, stating:
I noted a post by Terrence Campbell in which he claimed that I approached him as my prime ministerial candidate for the 2020 General and Regional Elections. This is entirely false. I never approached Terrence Campbell to be a prime ministerial candidate for me or the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.
“We have had many discussions on political matters in the past. During our time in opposition, I stated to him and others that the PPP/C is the only national party and that our policies are pro-people and pro-Guyana. At no time did I offer him the position of prime ministerial candidate.
Defense of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
President Ali also defended Vice President and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, rejecting Campbell’s claims against him.
He wrote: “The Vice President and General Secretary does not attack anyone; he responds factually and politically to statements and issues. It seems that there is a belief among some in the country that they can attack the PPP and its leadership without expecting a response”.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has repeatedly emphasized that the government remains committed to its development agenda despite criticisms.
Government’s Achievements Since 2020
Since taking office in 2020, the PPP-led administration has focused on improving public infrastructure, healthcare, and education, ensuring greater opportunities for all Guyanese.
Key achievements include:
- Employment for 50,000 to 60,000 previously unemployed citizens
- Increase in disposable income in the public sector by $90 billion
- Over 33,000 house lots distributed
- 50,000 government scholarships awarded
- Doubling the old-age pension
- Restoration and expansion of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant for schoolchildren
- Restoration of the Joint Services bonus
- Reversal of over 200 taxes and fees
- Comprehensive infrastructure projects, including 140 km of four-lane roads and over 400 bridges
- Tax removal on private healthcare and education
- Development of a transformative healthcare plan with 12 new hospitals
- Advancement of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030
Despite criticisms, the government remains steadfast in its pro-Guyana policies, aiming to ensure national development and progress.