Budget 2014 lacks vision and details

Apr 06, 2014 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

(Taken from the presentation by Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya MP)

In his presentation of the 2014 National budget, the Finance Minister informed the National Assembly and the people of this country that since 2011, the PPP Government has injected close to $10 billion into the sugar belt but the industry continues to struggle. In the same breath, the Minister also informed us that after spending all this money in the sugar belt, sugar production contracted by some 15% to 186,807 tons, the lowest production of the PPP Government and one of the lowest in the history of sugar production in Guyana.
This sort of failure must be placed squarely at the feet of the PPP Government that failed the industry in a number of ways:
·   Poor cane husbandry practices leading to poor cane yields;
·   Sloth in the mechanization process leading to a loss of control over the cost of production;
·   Disincentive for the private cane farmers to get on board, which can help to reduce the cost of production.
Sugar is in a coma today because of poor direction and the imposition on the industry of square pegs in round holes. The Skeldon Factory remains the principal reason for the almost 40 cents per pound cost of production and no one is being held accountable.
The PPPC Government has failed the sugar industry to such an extent that they have lost the confidence of the sugar workers. This is one of the reasons for the government not calling Local Government Elections.
It is ridiculous for the government to ask for a further $6 billion bailout for the sugar industry without a clear and detailed plan on what this money will be used for, when this money is needed, and clear justification why the Opposition should support this cause.
The Alliance For Change in principle stands with the sugar workers and their families and would vote for any funds for the sugar belt, once there is clear justification for the request.
The AFC will always continue to stand with the sugar belt but we are not “pagalee” to provide billions for the PPP to squander and not service the sugar workers.
CRIME
An allocation of $17.3 billion was spent on the security sector, but yet the serious crime statistics for 2013 revealed that they were similar to the awful days following the Camp Street jail break and in the ‘Fine man’ gang days.
In a country of 750,000 persons, some 4,204 serious crimes were reported in 2013, which included some 155 murders, so one has to question the impact of $17.3 billion on security. It is clear that financial resources alone will not reverse the escalating serious crime statistics.
What is needed is a comprehensive plan to address national security and the political will to implement such a plan. This government has failed to demonstrate such will and in the absence of the commitment to seriously address matters of national security, this country and our people would continue to live in fear, no matter how much money is allocated to this sector.
It was only recently the Police acquired high-powered boats, capable of plying the high seas, to fight the pirates that continue to terrorize our fishermen on the Corentyne. The majority of Guyanese continue to live in an environment that presents deadly threats to our personal security with no respect.
So what really is the PPP spending all these billions on?
The AFC in its Action Plan has outlined our commitment in detail on how we intend to confront crime and improve personal security for all. If we want to build a viable tourism product, we have to bring down the runaway crime rates and now. Enough of the talk, time to act.
It was the UNDP that reminded the nation that “a higher crime rate hinders Guyana’s development”. This reality continues to evade the Home Affairs Minister who is now asking for $19.5 billion, but continues to be very elusive on the specifics.
The AFC continues to stand by its commitment to increase the salaries of all law enforcement officers by 20 percent across the Board. We believe if an officer of the law is not so focused on “hustling a dollar” he will have more time to solve crimes and the long-term economic impact will be positive.
The AFC also calls for the re-appointment of the Police Service Commission so that all eligible officers can be promoted accordingly.
The AFC in principle supports the establishment of the SWAT Team, which we see as good strategic measure to combat the serious criminal with equal capacity, but we cannot understand why the PPP was so slothful in its establishment
We also welcome the establishment of the forensic laboratory, since we seriously think that Guyana has too many unsolved crimes.
The AFC believes that the time has arrived for the Police to have their own Air Unit at Ogle Airport and we would commit some $200 million to make this project a reality. We also believe that the Police Marine Unit urgently needs at least three fast boats, especially in the Berbice area, and an AFC Government would have released $120 million to start this process.
This is a clear message to the political directorate at the Office of the President that we still have no confidence in Minister Rohee at Home Affairs.