– says Guyana’s development cannot be measured solely in concrete and steel
Although Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Ganesh Mahipaul was not selected to serve as the APNU’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, he was promised a new role—Vice President/ Chief Senior. This was announced yesterday by PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton.
It was recently disclosed that APNU’s PM candidate position has gone to former Alliance For Change (AFC) member and opposition parliamentarian Juretha Fernandes.
“In these elections we intend to have three main faces of the campaign, myself as leader, Juretha Fernandes as prime minister, and Ganesh Mahipaul as chief senior, possible vice president in the next government,” Norton told reporters at his party press conference on Friday.
Outlining the rationale behind Fernandes’ selection, Norton said the decision was made collectively among APNU representatives and with Mahipaul’s full involvement and agreement.
Moreover, Norton praised Mahipaul’s commitment to the PNCR and his political maturity. He outlined that Mahipaul has been a long-standing member of the PNCR, and as such, he is deserving of a position in the next APNU government.
Mahipaul, however, says he is committed to executing his duties as a Vice-President, confident that his party will be successful in ousting the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Speaking with the Guyana Standard, Mahipaul said he envisions a Guyana firmly grounded in good governance, accountability, and transparency.
He said that for far too long, the nation has suffered under a system where the simple majority winner floods the institutions of state with party loyalists.
“This reckless politicization has bred massive corruption, public thievery, and a collapse of institutional trust,” he said, emphasizing that Guyana deserves far better.
He noted that citizens cannot expect integrity or independence from a Public Procurement Commission “stacked with government sympathizers”.
“… Nor can we expect proper oversight from the Local Government Commission, the NPTAB, GUYOIL, GL&S Commission, EPA, or any state board or commission that lacks balance and scrutiny.”
He underscored that opposition involvement is not optional. If fact, he stressed that it is essential.
“The eyes of the Opposition must be present at every level of governance to hold those in power accountable. I am a firm and unapologetic advocate for Opposition representation on all State Boards and Commissions, especially the National and Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Boards. These are the critical platforms where transparency must begin.”
He added that as the next APNU government, the regime will make space for the PPP/C Opposition to be included in these bodies, not out of favour, but out of principle.
“We believe that accountability, transparency, and good governance must be guaranteed through inclusive systems, regardless of which party holds power,” he said.
The MP added, “Yes, we must build roads, bridges, and modern infrastructure. But Guyana’s development cannot be measured solely in concrete and steel. We must invest in people, pay our public servants fair wages, and lift them out of the nightmare of economic hardship they are currently trapped in.”
Mahipaul also committed to strengthen all systems of oversight, ensure a fully functioning Public Accounts Committee, and entrench accountability at every level of government.
“We must build a Guyana not for a privileged few, but for every citizen, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation,” he stressed.
Further, he vowed that he will fight for equal treatment for all, for clean government, and for a country where justice and fairness are not just slogans, but reality.
“I am with an APNU coalition with real fighters, for real change and it is coming real soon,” he concluded.
