On the occasion of the 59th Independence Anniversary as a Member of Parliament (MP), a representative of the people and a voice for accountability in our extremely fragile democracy, I must raise serious concerns about the direction in which our nation is being led under the PPP/C dictatorial regime.
Nearly six decades after gaining independence from our colonial masters, Guyana stands as an oil-producing nation—rich in potential but severely impoverished in policy. Frankly, it is beyond sad that in an economy buoyed by oil revenues, nearly 40% of our citizens remain trapped in poverty. In reality, this is not progress. It is failure—on a systemic scale.
Worst is the government’s continued opacity. We are still waiting on a final report from the last national census done in 2022. This is stunning. Imagine, in 2025, we do not even know with certainty how many Guyanese are living in this country. How can any government claim to serve its people when it doesn’t even know who those people are, where they live, or what they need?
The situation is made worse by the absence of an efficient, comprehensive public strategy on, perhaps, the most pressing national issue—the border controversy with Venezuela. While Guyana’s sovereignty is being challenged, there is no robust, aggressive public information campaign to keep citizens informed, engaged, or unified. A nation must stand together in times of geopolitical tension, but how can Guyanese stand with the government when the government refuses to stand with them in transparency?
And now, just about 5 months after passing the largest budget in Guyana’s history (1. 38 Trillion Dollars, USD 5.5 Billion), in January 2025—a budget that was hailed as transformative—the government returns to Parliament seeking a supplementary budget for additional funds (over $50 Billion). This action, on the part of the government, brings to the fore an obvious and troubling question: What happened to fiscal planning? What happened to fiduciary responsibility?
This is a government that touts accountability, but practices excess. That promises transformation, but delivers imbalance. That speaks of progress, but governs in a manner that enslaves our nation—not to external forces, but to internal dysfunction. Bad governance, structural discrimination, and weak political leadership, demonstrated by the incumbent dictatorial regime, are shackling Guyana to a future far beneath its promise.
I say, we are not beggars; we are not bystanders. We are an independent people who deserve strong leadership characterized by integrity, fairness, justice and accountability. Leadership that reflects and promotes the dignity and potential of this great nation.
On this occasion, I would only comment that, the time has come for a new vision for Guyana—one built not on patronage and political theatre, but on fairness, competence, and a genuine commitment to national development. Happy 59th Independence Anniversary Guyana!
Happy 59th Independence Anniversary Guyana!
