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In a scorching critique on Monday at the opening of the 2024 National Budget debate, Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde S.C, said the $1.146 trillion budget is “uninspiring,” fundamentally flawed and more of the same.
“More of the same partisan policies that exclude minorities and marginalised groups from participating in the political process; more of the same policies that facilitate and exacerbate social and economic inequities in our society; more of the same policies that allow unsustainable growth and lopsided development, in a trickle- down economy; more of the same policies that facilitate structural discrimination, and corruption facilitated by the interplay of partisan politics and uncontrolled, impulsive splurging of oil money, by the incumbent.”
Budget falls short on many fronts
The Member of Parliament (MP) blasted the budget for falling short on many fronts; stating “it lacks an inclusive approach in conceptualisation, equal and equitable allocation of resources, the hallmarks of good governance which, according to the United Nations has eight characteristics: participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the Rule of Law.”
He pointed out that though the budget is hailed as the largest in the nation’s history and packaged under the theme ‘Staying The Course, Building Prosperity For All,’ it is “built on shifting sand, devoid of a proper foundation,” lacking in both vision and a philosophical rudder. According to him the budget fails to articulate clear long-term goals or a roadmap for sustainable development, ignoring urgent societal issues, and in its present state opens the floodgates to exclusion, waste, fraud and abuse.
Forde also referenced Cheddi Jagan’s claims, accusing the People’s National Congress (PNC) government of “waste, fraud and abuse.” This and similar statements were mantras of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), throughout the country and wherever the leadership travelled, in efforts to malign consecutive PNC governments.
Turning attention to government’s track record of repeatedly returning to the National Assembly for money even after the budget is passed, Forde rightfully questioned what is the real budget or whether the initial budget is “merely a theatrical overture to a more complex and convoluted fiscal reality flowing into a hidden agenda.”
He particularly criticised shortfalls in the allocation of funds in critical sectors such as education ($135.2 billion), healthcare ($129.8 billion), and social welfare. Forde contended the budget shows a preference for concrete projects, with a staggering $221.4 billion allocated, including $204.1 billion for roads and bridges, at the expense of human capital development.
Coalition government did more with less resources
The MP did not mince words regarding the increase in pensions and the tax threshold, dismissing them as insignificant in the face of rising living costs. Drawing on comparison between the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), and the PPP the shadow minister made the case the coalition did more for citizens with less resources.
“By the time [APNU+AFC] left office in 2020, we had moved the minimum wage from $39,570 in May 2015 to $70,000 by January 2019. This 77 % increase, over such a short period of time, was done without the enormous cash resources that are available to the present Government. ..It would take far more than the current wage to purchase the same basket of goods and services that were bought with $70,000 in 2019. It is conservatively estimated that, in order for Guyanese to enjoy an adequate minimum standard of living, the minimum wage should be $150,000 per month.”
Touching on government’s apparent failure to take into consideration the input of critical stakeholders and citizens in meaningful consultations, Forde stated the lack of an inclusive approach in conceptualisation and equitable allocation of resources undermines the hallmarks of good governance.
Gov’t paying lip service to democratic principles
He further criticised government for its lip service to democratic principles. Citing paragraph 4.187 of the Budget Speech by Dr. Ashni Singh, Forde challenged the government’s claim of embracing democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. He contended that the budget fails to reflect the nation’s constitutional commitment to an inclusionary democracy, as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution which states:
“The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
According to the MP, were the nation’s founding fathers and mothers, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, J.P Latchmansingh, Janet Jagan, Peter d’Aguiar and Jane Phillips-Gay alive today, they would weep at the vast inequalities and inequities in society, and contempt for ordinary people and business.
Paraphrasing a Budget Speech made by Forbes Burnham in the National Assembly on January 16, 1964, Forde told the House:
“The Opposition Coalition proposals will be made very clear during these debates. We say to you, the problems in Guyana are not the problems of the PPP or the problems of one section of the community, but the problems of the Guyanese people. And if we understand that, and face this problem in this spirit, I am sure that a more realistic attitude would be brought to the problems of this country. And that instead of sniping and swearing at those who fight to improve the economic and social position of Guyana, we should devote our effort to abolishing the reason for our poverty, backwardness, and degradation.’
