Jordan says National Development Plan Can Ensure Inclusion, Better Management of Resources

Citing the fact resources are scarce and must be properly managed, the former minister mentions Durban Park, which is falling into disrepair, as one instance where projects are abandoned by the current government because it was constructed by the previous. The Park was constructed by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to host events as Guyana entered its Jubilee in 2016. The Park is now overtaken by shrubs, animals, the homeless and is akin to an eyesore.

Issue of continuity will remain of concern in countries such as ours that have ethnic problems in the absence of a plan to carefully use our resources, he states.  Bemoaning the absence of effort to move in that direction, Jordan states that “we have all the resources, but no one is talking about a long-term plan, only slogans bereft of a plan that will tell you what is needed.”

President Irfaan Ali’s ‘one Guyana’ slogan is seen by many as efforts at exclusion not inclusion, disrespectful to supporters of the political Opposition, communities not won by the government, some ethnic groups, stakeholders and categories of workers. The two-year-old government is yet to meet with trade unions representing workers in the teaching and public services in respect for the workers’ right to collective bargaining. Workers employed at the Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) have similar problems in getting their outstanding grievances resolved.

“It goes without saying that you will not be able to develop Guyana by marginalising a major section of Guyana, and the sufferers are also the people of Guyana,” he warns. Elaborating on the point, the former minister advises though Guyana has a small population, given its abundance of natural resources Guyanese can put these together, develop a plan and map out a policy to bring the factions together in recognition of the national motto, One People, One Nation, One Destiny.

President Ali was recently invited to the United States (U.S) by the government of President Joe Biden. In meetings with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the president was urged to practice transparent and inclusive democracy that would bring about shared prosperity for all Guyanese. Article 13 in the Constitution of Guyana, which outlines the political system, mandates “inclusionary democracy.” Many Guyanese have been advocating for this form of governance. The president is yet to move in this direction.

Speaking on the ‘Good Morning Time’ programme, hosted by Kidackie Amsterdam, Jordan reminds the nation of a National Development Strategy (NDS) that was developed with the support of the U.States-based Carter Centre during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, however, when shadow Minister of Finance, the late Winston Murray, packaged the document and presented it to the National Assembly for approval the PPP/C voted against it.

The NDS was compiled from nationwide and broad base consultation and benefitted from the input of stakeholders, including civil society, trade unions, cooperatives, religious bodies, private sector, among others. Passage of several Bills in the National Assembly requires a simple majority. To make possible the former minister’s recommendation for a national plan may require modification of the law to remove the simple majority floor requirement.

In the context of Guyana’s oil resources Jordan says an inclusive plan will ensure all sides benefit from the resources, as he acknowledges the possibility the plan could be tinkered with from time to time, but says it should not substantially differ from what the country wants and direction it seems to be moving in. Modification of the plan will also allow for discontinuing something that is bad or not true but not because your party didn’t do it, he shares.