Anthony urges more vibrancy from gov’t
Opposition MP, Dr Frank Anthony
Opposition MP, Dr Frank Anthony

…lauds proposed expansion of agri, forestry sectors

PEOPLE’S Progressive Party frontbencher Dr. Frank Anthony has called on the government to exude more vibrancy in the execution of its mandates, even as he criticised the budget as being anti-working class and claimed that the administration is incapable of addressing critical national matters.

But he commended the administration for its move to expand agriculture, fishing and forestry, noting that it is a “laudable objective.” Agriculture, he said, employs about 21 per cent of the country’s workforce.
In his 35-minute presentation before the National Assembly on the second day of the budget debate, the opposition parliamentarian said Finance Minister Winston Jordan has taken citizens on “a very expensive journey,” referring to the $267.1 B 2018 budget.

According to him, when the coalition administration’s five years in office concludes in 2020, the philosophy of ‘the good life’ would only be experienced by a select few. “Mr Speaker, budgets are supposed to be about people. But where are the people in the 2018 budget?” Dr Anthony asked, while opining that there is nothing tangible in the budget for citizens.
“Whether you are a worker, a farmer or a doctor, there is nothing tangible for you in this budget. If you are a child, a youth or the elderly, there is nothing tangible for you in this budget. If you are a woman, a teacher or entrepreneur, there is nothing tangible for you in this budget,” he declared as the government’s representatives heckled.

Unfazed, the MP continued: “This lacklustre budget offends everyone. In just two and a half years, four budgets later, the minister seems tired and the government seems tired. They badly need a rest and perhaps the people should put them to rest.”

Dr Anthony turned his attention to the 2018 targets as announced by the Minister of Finance. He welcomed the announcement that government intends to expand agriculture, fishing and forestry, noting that it is a “laudable objective.” Agriculture, he said, employs about 21 per cent of the country’s workforce. Notwithstanding his commendation, Dr Anthony chided the government for what he considers to be “talking up the sector.”

“But while the government is talking up the sector, their actions tell another story,” he stated, pointing to a $1.8B cut in the agriculture budget from 2016 to 2017 and an additional cut from 2017 to 2018. “Agriculture has the distinction of being the only sector that has consistently received a cut in the budget allocations, since the APNU+AFC took office.

This clearly shows the government intention of down-sizing deemphasising, and downgrading agriculture,” he posited. Dr. Anthony declared that the coalition government has adopted a “narrow-minded approach to sugar,” which he believes will result in a shutdown of major parts of the industry. “Instead of helping by lending a hand to the industry, they prefer to the people and the industry while they are down,” he opined, questioning “Is this the “APNU+AFC good life”?

Meanwhile, in focusing his attention on health, the opposition parliamentarian commended the Finance Minister for stating that the challenges faced by the public health sector are many and varied. Jordan had outlined the drug shortages and procurement problems, along with health infrastructure deficits and disparities between the hinterland and the coastland. However, despite his candour, Dr Anthony made it clear that solutions must be found to fix the problems in the health sector.

He told the House that as he listened to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings’ budget presentation on Monday night, he was amused. Dr Cummings during her presentation gave the assurance that Guyanese would benefit from improved health care. “But I disagree with her that by her magical pronouncements last night has fixed the procurement crisis of the ministry,” he declared.

He accused the Ministry of Public Health of being “the leading violator of good tender board procedures and norms,” as he referred to the Auditor General Report 2017. Dr Anthony reminded the House of Dr Cummings’ statement in 2016 which stated that her ministry embraced “a new procurement paradigm called open competitive bidding.” The coalition government upon taking office did indicate that there would be no more single-sourcing of medicines and medical supplies. But the opposition parliamentarian said “the government’s inaction speaks louder than their words,” while referencing the Sussex Street bond agreement.

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