A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) today launched its manifesto hailed as “people-centred” during a ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.
In presenting the manifesto, the party’s presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton, said the document is geared towards ensuring the happiness and prosperity of Guyanese.
He noted that it was created from crucial information gathered by the party from people from all walks of life over the past three years.
As outlined by Norton, the development strategy commits to eliminating poverty, reflected in its policies and extensive investment in education.
The manifesto also outlines a liveable income for every household as a response to the cost-of-living crisis and a 35 per cent increase in salary for public servants.
“We will increase old age pension to $100,000 dollars per month, create a child care allowance of $120,000 per year for children under school age and for school-aged children attending school. The minimum wage for public servants will be increased to $200,000 per month. The APNU government will extend the tax exemption threshold for all workers from $132,000 per month to 400,000 per month,” Norton said.
Norton added that household income will be further enhanced through an electricity subsidy of up to $10,000 per month and a water subsidy of up to $5,000 per month, in addition to programmes to assist single parents, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
“For those who will have to pay taxes, the tax deduction for charitable contributions will be extended to them. Each post-secondary school student will receive $50,000 per month, and every person working under the special part-time programme will earn $50,000 per month – in addition to training to develop their skills,” he said.
Additionally, he said the manifesto outlines steps to sustainably grow the non-oil economy.
It has a broad range of policies to energise the business sector, in addition to creating a long-term financing programme with special conditions for public servants.
It also contains plans to reduce class sizes by having more trained teachers available; improve access to adult education; upskill the workforce; provide free or affordable transportation along with two nutritious meals daily for students; monetary payouts; and modernise government services, among others.
Norton said these benefits will also be extended to people in hinterland areas.
