| Foreign remittances play a major role in the Guyanese economy and for many households, thatPrime Ministerial candidate Moses Nagamootooextra dollar keeps the family afloat. This fact was not missed by the political coalition, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), when its senior executives addressed thousands of Guyanese in Canada over the weekend.During campaign activities in the North American country, the party disclosed the various contributions of Guyanese living abroad, which the economy is heavily dependent on. The Coalition has opted to create a “Department of Diaspora” to keep them tightly locked to the country.Presidential Candidate, Brigadier (Rtd.) David Granger said that the Canadian Diaspora is part of Guyana,Cheap Jerseys, and is much needed.“You all are the backbone,” he explained. “Every year Guyana depends on remittances of about $200M mainly from North America. We depend on your treasure and talents to help develop Guyana. We depend on your technology.”“Help us to build roads and bridges, help us to develop more digital technology and move us into the 21st century,” he urged the gathering that attended the campaign events held in Greater Toronto.“We will establish a department of Diaspora to bring the two sides together. Between April 2015 and the 50th anniversary celebrations, we will convene a conference of the Diaspora to tell us how the two sides can work together.” “We don’t have all of the answers,” Granger told the gathering, while requesting their assistance in “getting it right” once the Coalition gets into government.Presidential candidate David GrangerGranger’s running mate, Prime Ministerial candidate Moses Nagamootoo pumped up the attendees with the trending slogan, “Change is coming.” He told them, “back home we are fighting an uneven battle with a government that is totally corrupt and using state resources.”He said that Guyana has however taken on a new energy in support of a change of government.“That is what has kept us going; the fact that a new movement has started, cutting across race, religion and the cultural divide.”“I stand here as the PM candidate for elections on May 11 that would be won by this Coalition; that we shall make Guyana safe for your return and that we would take care of problems back home with a team that has been well-put together, a broad based team with knowledgeable people.”He told the Diaspora that the party needs their finances to energize their campaign and help fight the negatives to the very last.He urged those gathered that the next time the PPP sends a delegation to Canada; they should ask them about crime.“Ask them why Guyana has become the suicide capital of the Western hemisphere; about banditry, gun running and coke smuggling. They care about self-enrichment and creating an oligarchy that is running Guyana into the ground. Guns are coming across the border from Brazil.”It was emphasised that the coalition wants to make Guyana a safe place for persons in the Diaspora to come back to.“We should not be running away from Guyana, but should be inviting people to come to Guyana. We are committed to bringing national unity back to Guyana. If you can do again in 2015 what you did in 2011, we will win. We believe in a government of national unity.”“Do not be afraid of the coalition and effigies. Italy, Belgium, Germany, Israel have coalition governments. There is nothing to fear about coalition governments. This is not an idle boast. We are the people to make it happen. We have seen 23 years of PPP governance and they did not make it happen.”“We are behind Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, because we have been fighting each other for the past 50 years. The lights have changed from red to green and gold. The parliament has not met for nine months. Do you think this could happen in Canada?”“We are going to ensure that you are proud of Guyana. Through this department of the Diaspora we will make it easier for you to come back and participate. I want us to have a big birthday party next year when we are 50. I want you to be proud of your country. The PPP is exhausted. Contact your relatives back home and tell them what happened today if you want change. The PPP can no longer bring about change.”The APNU+AFC Coalition, according to persons who followed the party to Canada, was able to raise some US$50,000 in four hours. |
