Before we delve into Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s response, it’s crucial to grasp the context of the situation. Coretta McDonald and James Patterson, the two PNC politicians at the center of this issue, have voiced concerns about the Indian Aircraft Acquisition. However, it’s of utmost importance to concentrate on the facts and the core issue rather than getting sidetracked by personal attacks.
However, all Guyanese are aware of Coretta McDonald and Hamilton Green’s disgusting views about the Indo-Guyanese, the Amerindians, and the Portuguese and Chinese in Guyana. This group is the majority in Guyana, not the Afro-Guyanese.
India and China’s actions in Africa and Caricom countries, including Guyana, have been praised and globally recognized for their significant benefits and positive impact. These include the provision of free vaccines, an essential contribution that the Western world did not match, and the extension of lines of credit to support economic development. This global recognition should make us all proud.
Our research on Afro-Guyanese heritage reveals that 90% originated from Ghana and 10% from Nigeria. Notably, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, commended and supported India’s and China’s efforts in providing free vaccines for Africa and the rest of the world, a significant contribution that the Western world did not match.
During COVID-19, Mr. Modi’s government and the 1.45 billion Indian people freely dispatched COVID-19 vaccines worth over $2 billion USD to Africa, Brazil, and the entire Caricom countries. The vaccines were given free of charge to the African countries and Caricom, including Brazil.
Like the UK, EU, and other countries, India has given Guyana a line of credit, which the PPP/C government used to purchase these two aircraft.
For Coretta McDonald and James Patterson to allegedly say that the Indian government is gouging Guyana for less than $16 million USD is an insult to most Guyanese, including the Afro-Guyanese intellectuals who are now supporting the PPP party.
Aubrey Norton must educate his village and tribal politicians that the world is changing and that $16 million USD is a small amount of change for countries like India and China.
Guyana to deliver two HAL-228-201 aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)
India currently ranks third in the world in terms of total purchasing power parity (PPP), a testament to its economic strength and global influence.
Global Ranking Total Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) between nations from highest to lowest in 2024. Here, we are mentioning the first four most powerful countries.
Coretta McDonald and James Patterson are allegedly fabricating fake news to indicate that India is gouging the prices is an insult to the people of Guyana.
Coretta McDonald and James Patterson are two pygmy politicians who think Region 4 is sufficient to govern Guyana. This indicates the caliber of politicians that Aubrey Norton has in his party.
The World Press regards these PNC politicians obsessed with Region 4 as tribal politicians. In 2020, the PNC supporters were rigging the Region 4 voters because this was the only way they could win, but they were caught with their pants down.
Coretta McDonald and James Patterson must study world politics, and they will understand the role these two influential leaders, N. Modi, Prime Minister of India, and President of China XI Ping, are playing in supporting the economic developments of the African continent and other countries, including Guyana and the Caricom Countries, with funds and expertise.
Aubrey Norton and his pygmy politicians are harkening back to the old days of Forbes Burnham, the founder of PNC. Burnham’s only legacy to the Afro-Guyanese was to rig the election after election to remain in power.
Recently, the geriatric Hamilton Green openly advocated, like his Master Forbes Burnham, that the PNC could win power by rigging elections against “these bastards, devils, and demons.”
The 89-year-old geriatric refers to these disgusting words to most of the Guyanese population, which consists of Indo-Guyanese (Hindus—Muslims, and Indian Christians), Amerindians, Chinese, and Portuguese. Coretta McDonald and James Patterson must study the ten regions. Region 4 is predominantly Afro-Guyanese, and Guyana is not only Region 4. There are nine more regions where most of them live.
team arrived in Guyana to deliver two HAL-228-201 aircraft manufactured by
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)
As the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has taken decisive steps to clarify the facts surrounding the acquisition of two Indian-made aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Addressing concerns raised by Opposition Members of Parliament Coretta McDonald and James Patterson, Dr. Jagdeo aimed to dispel any insinuations suggesting that the Government of India engaged in exploitation tactics during the procurement process. By doing so, Dr. Jagdeo sought to reaffirm the transparency and integrity of the transaction while ensuring that accurate information prevails amidst political discourse.
“She was implying that the Indian government was gouging us…that they bought some equipment for $5 million and are selling it to us for $28 million,” Dr Jagdeo explained.
In a weekly press conference convened at Freedom House, Georgetown, Dr. Jagdeo vehemently dismissed the assertions made by Opposition Members of Parliament Coretta McDonald and James Patterson regarding the recent procurement of two Indian-made aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Dr. Jagdeo clarified that these aircraft were acquired through a Line of Credit (LOC) arrangement facilitated by the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). Moreover, he emphasized that the purchase was conducted directly with the manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), further dispelling any insinuations of exploitation or irregularities in the procurement process. This transparent explanation addressed misconceptions and reinforced confidence in the transaction’s legitimacy.
team arrived in Guyana to deliver two HAL-228-201 aircraft manufactured by
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)
“The interest rate on that line of credit is now one-fifth of what we can get elsewhere if you go commercially. It is a low interest rate,” the GS added.
The Line of Credit (LOC) agreement between India and Guyana, crucial for the procurement of the aircraft, was officially signed on March 15, 2024. During his press conference, Dr. Jagdeo offered a comprehensive breakdown of the arrangements to clarify any misconceptions. According to his explanation, each of the two aircraft was acquired for US$8 million. Additionally, the government invested US$6.23 million in spare equipment, encompassing reserve engines and propellers, to ensure the aircraft’s continued operational readiness and longevity. This detailed breakdown provided transparency regarding the agreement’s financial aspects, reinforcing the procurement process’s legitimacy and integrity.
“About another US$1 million in training for 19 persons, including the pilots, engineers, technicians, flying the aircraft to Guyana, and also deploying engineers here from India for six months to work with us,” the GS said.
This brings the total amount to US$23.37 million.
“For the two aircraft alone, it was US$16 million. These are new aircraft that we bought.” he clarified.
The aircraft boasts a seating capacity of 19 passengers and an average cargo capacity of 3000 lbs, significantly bolstering the operational capabilities of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). With this enhanced capacity, the GDF can rely on these aircraft for various missions with excellent reliability and efficiency. Moreover, their extended geographic reach enables access to remote areas previously challenging to reach, thus augmenting the GDF’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies. These versatile aircraft serve multiple purposes, including medical evacuation and disaster response, highlighting their invaluable contribution to Guyana’s defense and emergency preparedness efforts.