Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 21, 2017 APNU Column, Features / Columnists
On May 16, 2015 His Excellency Brigadier David Granger was sworn in as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) entered office. The coalition came to office with a mandate to establish an inclusionary democracy, restore transparent and accountable governance while placing emphasis on national development for the benefit of all the people of Guyana.
The Coalition promised to implement a sustained programme of healing, reconciliation and social integration of the nation, setting the nation on a path where all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity and geography, can feel fully motivated to be proud of our nation and afforded an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the society, while successfully caring for themselves and family.
The establishment of the Ministry of Social Cohesion signaled the APNU+AFC’s commitment to the creation of a Guyana in which all citizens can live productive lives free from the ravages of poverty, secure in their homes and in their communities, and enjoy the benefits of political, social, economic and cultural development.
Over the past two years the coalition has been working assiduously to keep the many promises made, and by any measure we have been successful. When we came to office in 2015, Guyana was a country of unsolved crimes and non-convicted criminals. The coalition promised to confront serious crimes (both white and blue collar) and the latest statistics from the Guyana Police Force show that serious crime has decreased by four percent compared to the same period last year.
In our Manifesto we promised an increase in social assistance and old age pension for the elderly. Upon assumption of office in 2015, the coalition increased pensions from $13,125 to $17,000. In 2016, it was again increased from $17,000 to $18,200 and in 2017 this amount was raised to $19,000.
In addition to the pension increase, the elderly have also benefitted from government’s exemption from paying travelling tax, when travelling overseas on a Guyanese passport. They are also now exempted from paying for a driver’s licence. Further, Budget 2017 also provides for the elderly to be removed from paying passport fees.
Guyana is too large to be effectively or efficiently managed by a central government. Article 71(1) and 74(1) of our Constitution provide for devolution of power and specifically entrust the task of managing and development of communities to their residents and their respective local democratic organs. On March 18, 2016, after an absence of over two decades, local government elections were held in Guyana. These elections will continue to be held as constitutionally mandated.
Over the past two years the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has increased the access to reliable potable water to many communities. Many areas all across the nation are now receiving potable water for the very first time. Communities like Sophia now boast asphalted roads, lights and potable water for the very first time.
During our 2015 campaign we promised to end the highly inequitable and unjust tax system and to implement tax relief by reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT); increase the personal Income Tax threshold (in a phased approach), reduce the toll for passenger vehicles on the Berbice Bridge and rationalize the VAT and excise duties on motor vehicles and on diesel.
We also promised to strengthen and review the administration of fiscal concessions and end the concessions to privileged groups (simply because of their association with the government). So far, substantive action has been taken on all of these matters. VAT has been reduced to 14% and the toll has been reduced on the Berbice Bridge.
With regard to public expenditure, we were convinced that there was need for better procurement measures and promised the early appointment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), strict monitoring and expenditure controls, greater bang for taxpayer buck and regular reviews of Public Sector Investment Programmes. In this regard, we have appointed a PPC and the economy is being managed in such a way so as to produce wider entrepreneurial and job opportunities and more equitable outcomes.
In the industrial relations sector, we have restored collective bargaining throughout the public sector and Public servants have enjoyed an increase in their wages and salaries. In 2015 the minimum wage was raised to $50,000, an increase of between 17.1 percent and 26.4 percent, depending on whether the employee was receiving $39,540 or $42, 703. In December 2015 all public servants were paid a one-off, Tax-free $50,000. The government and the unions continue to negotiate further increases in emoluments.
The way forward for the sugar industry in Guyana was an important plank of our 2015 platform, and as promised, we convened a Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and met with all of the stakeholders. Based on these consultations a ‘White Paper’ was laid in the National Assembly outlining the future of the sugar industry in Guyana.
The APNU+AFC promised to engage in urgent consultations for the development of policies for the conservation of our fragile and unique ecosystems and environmental areas. President Granger has since signed the Paris agreement and has articulated the frame work for a ‘Green’ Guyana. A new department of the Environment has been established and two million hectares has been committed for conservation.
In the legislature, several Acts have been passed over the past two years, all aimed at strengthening the system of governance in Guyana. These include the Anti-Money laundering and Countering the Finance of Terrorism Bill 2015, Constitution Amendment Bill 2015, Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill 2015, Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2015, Local Authorities (elections) Amendment Act 2015, Telecommunications Act 2016, State Asset Recovery Act 2017 and several others.
The Coalition continues to work to bring a good life to all Guyanese, we now have a Youth Policy and a Cultural policy will soon be laid in the National Assembly. Passport services are now decentralized. Capital towns have been established in three regions and several more will be established in the coming year. Three Hinterland community radio stations have been established and several more are slated to be rolled out in the next six months.
Over 140 locations have been connected and provided secure internet access, 86 secondary schools, three Regional Education Officers, three Cyril Potter College of Education branches, two University of Guyana locations, and six technical and vocational institutions now have reliable high-speed access to educational content in their computer laboratories. Over 51 ICT hubs have been established in regions all across the nation.
Every country needs a professional and politically neutral public service to implement decisions and to advise the government of the day. Towards this end the Bertram Collins Public Service College was opened in November 2016.
(“The APNU+AFC Coalition is the boldest step taken in six decades of our political history, a step to replace political hostility with unity; confrontation with cooperation; dictatorship with democracy. The Coalition has chosen hope over despair and faith over fear.”(David Granger, APNU+AFC Manifesto message)
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Apr 19, 2024
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