Supporters of PNC/AFC/APNU are recognizing the benefits achievable under President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ vision

Aug 08, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Prior to the 2011 elections, when the coalition attained a majority in Parliament, the country had seen significant progress, reaching the status of a middle-income country. This was a remarkable shift from the bankrupt and heavily indebted economy inherited by the PPP/C government from the PNC, which had mismanaged the country for 28 years through rigged elections.

With their one-seat parliamentary majority in 2011, the coalition aggressively cut budgetary allocations across nearly every governmental department, presented by PPP/C Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. These cuts hindered the ongoing social and economic development initiated by the previous Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo-led PPP/C administration, pushing the country towards bankruptcy and recession. Their refusal to pass the AML/CFT Bill without amendments for greater parliamentary oversight led to economic sanctions by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), severely impacting the private sector. This strategy of coercion through violence, destruction, and attacks on civilians has long been used to force PPP administrations into unfavorable concessions.

Today, the influx of oil revenues has fueled the coalition’s greed. They hid a signing bonus in a private bank account, claimed as a gift, and accepted lavish perks from oil companies, compromising the nation’s right to fair revenue from the oil and gas sector. Their race-baiting political tactics threaten to drive the country back to the brink of civil unrest—a path the PPP has consistently avoided, favoring peaceful conflict resolution.

Under successive PPP/C administrations, including the current one led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Guyana has seen growth in advances and loans to the private sector, attracting foreign direct investment and boosting local investor confidence. This progress is attributed to “prudent fiscal management, sound macro-economic policies and planning, institutional strengthening, coupled with deeper social cohesion and political stability,” leading to sustained development.

As the country continues on its path to progress and prosperity, even supporters of PNC/AFC/APNU are recognizing the benefits achievable under President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ vision.

Regards,

Erin Northe

• bankrupt, economy, Erin Northe, One Guyana, Parliament