President Dr Irfaan Ali, in a statement to mark the fourth year since the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, reaffirmed his commitment to peace and stability in the country.
The Head-of-State in a video uploaded to Facebook on Saturday reminded that the 2020 General and Regional Elections and its aftermath was a difficult time for the country. But the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is a government that strives to create opportunities for all Guyanese.
“This government is working towards the best possible outcome for every citizen, our pensioners, our farmers, our public servants, our teachers, our sugar industry workers, our bauxite workers, we are working on a holistic, comprehensive mechanism through which every single family will have the best possible life in this country,” Dr Ali said.
Dr Ali also called on teachers and the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) to let the healthy discussion between the Union and government recommence. Some teachers abandoned their classrooms to strike across the country since February 5.
“That is where the issues of the welfare of teachers will continue to be discussed but those who are aligned with the leadership of the GTU allow political directive to supersede the natural course of things,” President Ali said.
Since 2020, the GTU has been pushing for an across-the-board increase in salaries as part of a multi-year agreement. The Union has said this and other conditions must be met before teachers return to classrooms.
However on Friday, officials of the GTU and the Ministry of Education, accompanied by their attorneys, met for mediation talks at the High Court.
President Ali on Saturday said 25 meetings with the Union were had and that 30 0f 41 requests from the Union were fulfilled with an additional 28 non-requested benefits.
“If you are to be a democratic society, then we have to be faithful to the institutions of our society.
“A process was underway… We are one with our teachers, we will consistently work for the best possible benefit to our teachers but we cannot be politically bullied,” the president said.
Dr Ali also reminded that in overseeing the development of the country and its people, hinterland communities are being transformed. He said the government is taking a multifaceted approach.
He reminded that when the PPP/C administration assumed power in August, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge. But through good governance, these challenges were overcome. He said during the first 100 days in Office the government removed the burdensome taxes and returned thousands of persons back to work, re-invested in agriculture and re-build confidence in the country’s ability to build a sustainable economy.
“We are inspiring hope, we are expanding our infrastructure fortifying our economic pillars, pushing the diversification of our economy, expanding g our housing programme building bridges, opening up opportunities, investing in a human transformation,” Dr Ali said.
