Latest update March 26th, 2026 7:55 AM
Ali promises cheaper air travel to Mabaruma, new airstrip
…urges residents not to sell their votes
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali during his address in Mabaruma on Tuesday.
Kaieteur News – People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali on Tuesday promised the residents of Mabaruma, Region One, improved transportation, investment in agriculture, and better access to government services if his party is elected.
Addressing a crowd at the party’s public meeting, Ali promised to address the challenges of connectivity in the region and committed to reducing the cost of travel to and from Mabaruma. He said, “And yes we heard you about the cost of transportation, that’s why we are not only going to invest in roads and airstrips. We are going to invest in expanding the river transportation services.”
He added, “We are going to invest in reducing the cost of air service to your sub region, we’re going to subsidize transportation for our farmers so that you can move your goods to the market in a cheaper and efficient way.”
Additionally, President Ali noted that his party is aware of the current state of the airstrip which limits the services airlines can provide and announced that a new airstrip will be built there. “That is why we have mandated Minister Colin Croal within the next three months to find the land so we can build a proper airstrip and we can bring in and take out as much load as possible here in Mabaruma,” he said.
Moreover, Ali also spoke of transforming Region One into a hub for cocoa and coffee cultivation, which he said will be backed by regional and international partnerships. He disclosed, “We are already bringing in a team from the Dominican Republic, from IICA [Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture] and from Brazil to work side by side with you. We will put the equipment, we will put the investment, we will put the resources so we can build the strongest coffee and cocoa industry.”
He also said that his party will ensure there is market for the products to reduce the burden on farmers. Additionally, he also highlighted value-added investments including cold storage facilities, agro-processing and a crab meat processing plant. The head-0f-state spoke of enhancing productivity through cage farming of fish and crab and boosting livestock rearing.
In relation to forestry and mining, Ali pledged more support to small miners, loggers and community forest organisations through increased concessions and better access to financing. He added, “You will get more grants, you will get more cash transfers… you can be guaranteed once we are in office you will get more and more…”
He committed to expanding electricity connections throughout the region and building mini-grids to ensure communities can enjoy 24-hour electricity supply. He told residents that his party wants to ensure they own homes, farms, land and vehicles, and disclose plans to bring more government services including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) closer to them to eliminate the need to travel to the city.
In closing, Ali warned residents not to trade their vote for money. He said, “Someone can’t turn up overnight and come to your community and believe that they can pay you 50,000 for your vote, that is an insult because your vote represent your children interest, it represents your family…”
He reminded the gathering that votes represent dignity and warned that those who believe votes are for sale “are not worth your time or vote.”
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