Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 23, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists
The Parliamentary debate on the 2015 budget of the newly elected APNU+AFC coalition government is finally over and the nation can now breathe a sigh of relief. But was it really a debate about the nation’s fiscal policy or a public circus? It was a rancorous exercise that was very painful to watch as members from both sides of the isle criticized and verbally abused one another. It is a downright shame and disgrace that that those who were elected to lead did not possess the requisite skills and the wherewithal to do so. Whatever it was, the Speaker must be commended for his patience and for restoring Parliamentary decorum and move the so-called debate along. Many believe that it was an exercise in futility that has cost the taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
There were a few who debated the issues fully but regrettably, the vast majority of MPs from both the government and opposition side of the House read statements which clearly shows that they were unprepared or did not know how to debate.They must be chided for their high school performance. Others have shown contempt for the August House and should have been disciplined by the Speaker. But being the Speaker for the first time, one gets the impression that he did not want to rock the boat so early in his new career.
Criticism of the budget proposals was expected by the opposition, but some PPP MPs, including former President Jagdeo went overboard with their snide and deceitful remarks about the state of the economy 23 years ago and touted the PPP record of the last 15 years as being the best. His presentation was laced with distortions, untruths and insults to the late Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte governments. For him to accuse the Granger/Nagamootoo led Coalition government of corruption and ethnic cleansing, exposes his mindset. No rational or politically astute person, not even supporters of the PPP would believe the former President who led his party to two defeats at the polls in 2011 and again in 2015. How can someone who is considered the most divisive and corrupt leader in the history of the country criticize others.
Further, while the Speaker must be commended, he also erred and must accept responsibility for allowing the Opposition Leader to make statements against two former PNC Presidents who are deceased without substantive evidence. After all, these men cannot defend themselves from the grave. Mind you, at the beginning of his statement, it was the same Leader of the Opposition who said that he will not support any criticism of President Granger or any former Presidents, yet in the same breath he criticized the two former presidents. If he is not a hypocrite, then who is? It was a PPP Hail Mary moment to gain cheap political points before walking out of Parliament. It proves once again that the behavior of the PPP is childish, and they are seen as sore losers, first by not accepting the results of the election and second by walking out of Parliament. They are the perfect example of the terminology “quitters are losers” and “liars are thieves.”
The Leader of the Opposition and the PPP MPs have lost all credibility. Although they boast of providing good representation to not only half of the population who voted for them but to all Guyanese, yet for three months, they have boycotted Parliament and when they do attend, they ended up walking out as was the case on Friday. Is this representation of the people? They cannot defend their record. It is like having their cake and eating it too, which is an oxymoron. But that aside, the government MPs must be faulted for not waging a rigorous defense of the budget and their own record since assuming office three months ago. They should not have allowed the Leader of the Opposition of all persons to lecture them on good governance, the economy, foreign policy, security and fiscal responsibility. Jagdeo was firing on all cylinders. With the exception of a tiny few, the majority of government MPs was lackluster in their budget presentation and this will not bode well for the government, which has gained the trust and confidence of the people. The truth is, it is simple to speak about change but it is very difficult to implement it or make it happen. Change will only take place in Guyana when the Granger/Nagamootoo government decides to bite the bullet and make the bold and difficult choice to hire professional, experienced and qualified individuals to help them solve the problems inherited from the former PPP regime. David has defeated Goliath and Moses has parted the Red Sea, but there is a far way to go to the Promised Land. Based on the performance of the government MPs; is the good life mentioned in the budget really a good life?
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 19, 2024
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