The PPPC has never endorsed a national development strategy

Oct 13, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) government of Guyana has never had a cohesive national development strategy, and its attempts at developing such a strategy have been inadequate.

In contrast, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, during its time in government, crafted a comprehensive Green State Development Strategy, which, despite its imperfections, stands as a superior effort to anything attempted by the PPPC.

The PPPC has never produced a concrete and comprehensive national development plan.  While Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo might assert otherwise, the historical record does not support his claim that the PPPC has a development strategy. If it does then it should not be difficult for him to produce such a document.

When the PPPC first assumed power in 1992, it was encouraged by the Carter Centre to create a National Development Strategy. This process was initiated under former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. This initiative benefitted from the perspectives and input of hundred s of local experts from the various sectors, who were keen to contribute a holistic roadmap for the nation’s future development.

However, this valuable plan was abandoned when Jagdeo was Minister of Finance. While the document was tabled in the National Assembly it was never brought forward for debate or adoption. The PPPC in effect abandoned the National Development Strategy.

The then Opposition party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), resisted endorsing the National Development Strategy, claiming that it was unduly influenced by external organizations like the Carter Center. This resistance further complicated the process, as finding a consensus on a national strategy was paramount. Subsequently, a compromise strategy led by Dr. Kenneth King was attempted, but it suffered from unrealistic projections and was eventually discarded. The PPPC, led by Jagdeo, was seemingly uninterested in pursuing a national development strategy, concerned that it might clash with the dictates of international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The government’s preference seemed to be focused on crafting projects at its discretion, rather than following a comprehensive national strategy.

To fulfill international obligations and secure critical financing, the PPPC resorted to creating a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) However, it is evident that the PPPC government never fully embraced the document’s principles, and its implementation was inconsistent at best. This further underscores the absence, under the PPPC, of an internally consistent national development strategy.

The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) introduced by the PPPC was touted as a groundbreaking approach to sustainable development.  However, it was primarily a vehicle for financing. It was never comprehensive enough to be viewed as a national development strategy.  The LCDS aimed to capitalize on global environmental concerns, leveraging Guyana’s low rate of deforestation to gain international financing. Its limitations became evident as it failed to offer practical projects to establish a genuinely low-carbon economy.

Subsequently, the PPPC revised the LCDS. Despite this, the new iteration remains heavily focused on financing through the sale of carbon credits, and the emphasis on substantial development projects is still lacking. This revision does little to improve the ruling PPPC’s standing regarding national development strategy. In stark contrast to the PPPC’s elusive pursuit of a national development strategy, the APNU+AFC coalition took a more proactive approach. During their time in government, they unveiled the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), a comprehensive document aimed at steering Guyana towards sustainable development. While the GSDS is not without its flaws and challenges, it represents a more coherent and holistic approach to guiding the country’s progress.

The GSDS placed strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the transition to a green economy. It outlines a vision for a sustainable and inclusive future for Guyana, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and education. When comparing the PPPC’s track record with the APNU+AFC’s GSDS, it becomes evident that the latter’s strategy is a far more serious and concerted effort to address Guyana’s developmental challenges. The GSDS provides a roadmap for sustainable development, which is crucial for a country with rich natural resources and untapped potential. The GSDS’s long-term vision offers a refreshing alternative to the PPPC’s ad hoc projects and attempts to secure international financing under the pretense of national development.

The PPPC therefore lacks the moral authority to refute claims of there being n0 national development strategy. If tomorrow it can produce such a written strategy, perhaps the world will change for the better overnight.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• Development, Government, Guyana, Peeping Tom, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC)

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