Is this how a Government treats its people?

Oct 29, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
In April 2012, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh reminded media operatives of a commitment given by the government, when asked by APNU’s Volda Lawrence, of the possibility of working together on the budget. (Reference – https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2012/04/24/govt-fumes-over-another-round-of-%E2%80%98illogical%E2%80%99-opposition-proposals/). That commitment was to actively consult and engage the majority opposition.
It is now almost November 2013 and that commitment remains dead on arrival, because the cunning and deceptive PPP never provided the process with life. Thus how can we now expect a smooth passage of the 2014 National Budget with a stillborn process that the PPP is not prepared to change?
The majority opposition in the absence of leadership from the PPP must take the lead in the 2014 Budget again, as they did in the 2013 Budget and rationalize it to ensure that it reflects the reality – fund what we can afford and not a cent more. Thus, Ponzi scheme projects like the Airport Terminal must always get the axe, while good projects like the desire to extend the CJIA runaway must be given top priority for funding, subject to it being de-linked from the terminal. Such a strategy can save Guyana G$18 billion immediately. Then there is the Contract Employee in the Office of the President, Ministry of Finance, and the funding for the Office of the Minister of Home Affairs; a Minister in whom the majority opposition has no confidence. These are all areas that have to remain on the opposition’s radar until the PPP is prepared to rule with empathy for the welfare of the people.
Let me make it absolutely clear, withholding funding for the Office of the Minister of Home Affairs is separate and distinct from the Police and will have negligible impact on the work of the crime-fighting machinery and the Police. The Police have adequate resources to do their job and with less interference from the Minister they may very well have greater success.
Then the majority opposition must interrogate the variations in all the line items in each Ministry, since the crafty PPP will make a determined attempt to pack up hard Ministries like Education, Health, Public Works and Agriculture with funds to carry all that deadwood working at the Office of the President as advisors. The litmus test should be no Ministry should have more funds than they spent in 2013; any significant increase in line items must set off alarm bells that NCN, GINA and the Office of the President Contractors are being funded through the back door.
We waste tens of millions on political deadwood but we have no money to pay workers a decent salary. Is this how a Government treats its people?
Sasenarine Singh

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