y Hydar Ally
WHEN the PPP/C administration assumed the reigns of power on October 5, 1992 after nearly three decades of undemocratic rule, one of the first tasks the newly elected PPP/C Government embarked upon was the reconstruction and rebuilding of a shattered economy and the restoration of confidence and hope among the Guyanese people. The vast majority of Guyanese people were demoralised and depressed but the new administration assured the nation that the dawn of a new day was very much on the horizon. It was quite a daunting task given the depleted treasury and the huge debt burden that the new administration inherited.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a Merry Christmas even as we continue to grapple with the challenges to our development.

The budget was used as the principal instrument for economic revival and income redistribution in favour of the poor and the marginalised. The first budget presented by the new PPP/C administration saw a reconfiguration of Government spending towards the social sectors in particular education, health, housing and water. In addition significant sums were allocated to the rebuilding of a collapsing social and physical infrastructure. Salaries for public servants were also increased including the miserly pensions that were doled out to senior citizens.
It is worth recalling that the budgets presented by the previous PNC administration were highly skewed in the direction of the military and the paramilitary, the Foreign Service and Office of the President. In fact, the PNC spent more on the Foreign Service Ministry than on education, health, housing and water combined!

The social sectors were highly de-emphasised and housing was removed as a budget item, an indication of how much the then administration cared for the Guyanese people, in particular the working people. The main concern at the time was regime survival and the budget was highly skewed in order to ensure such an outcome.

The PPP ever since it assumed the mantle of leadership way back in the late 1950’s always sought to utilise the budget to advance its development agenda even though it was not always easy sailing as during the turbulent 1960’s when the budget was used as a pretext to destabilise the PPP Government although the budget proposals came out of the recommendations of Nicholas Kaldor, a Cambridge University Economist and tax expert whose services were provided through the United Nations.

The budget sought among other things to prevent unnecessary outflow of capital, block loopholes in the tax system and prevent the evasion of payment of income and other taxes aimed at improving the country’s balance of payments position.

Today, fresh attempts are being made by the combined Opposition to frustrate and possibly derail the Government’s development agenda by using their one-seat majority which came about following the November 2011 elections. The excuse given was the lack of meaningful consultation prior to the presentation of the 2012 budget, a claim that is again repeated by the Opposition parties. Carl Greenidge, who is the Opposition spokesman in the National Assembly on economic and budgetary matters would do well to enlighten on the extent of consultations that prevailed during the time he was Finance Minister and how involved the PPP was in the budget preparations during those days.
Instead of attacking the PPP/C administration, the Opposition parties if they are truly interested in the future of this nation should help to create an investor friendly climate and lend support to projects that are intended to modernise the country and create jobs for our young people. Instead, they have opted for a confrontational stance with the Government which is hurting the economy and the well-being of the Guyanese people.
The Opposition has taken their hatred to absurd levels, forcing President Donald Ramotar to take pre-emptive action to prorogue and possibly dissolve Parliament thereby paving the way for fresh elections.
The only way forward for the PPP/C Government and the nation as a whole is for the current administration to get a fresh mandate from the Guyanese people which among other things would make a clear statement to the Opposition parties that it wants peace, progress and prosperity unleashed by the PPP/C administration to continue. Regrettaby, our Parliament in its current configuration had become a burden and liability instead of facilitative to our national development.
Let me take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a Merry Christmas even as we continue to grapple with the challenges to our development.