– Rohee
– dubs budget cuts as ‘callous & inhumane’

GENERAL-Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, yesterday roasted the combined Opposition (APNU and AFC) for the positions taken in disapproving allocations for major national projects that have the potential to significantly improve the lives of the Guyanese people.
And he called on the Opposition to “purge itself of hypocritical characteristics” and not to deny Guyanese their right to continue to benefit from projects that are envisioned for the transformation and modernisation of our country.
“Guyanese must demand that the Opposition inculcate responsible tendencies if they want to be taken seriously in making a contribution to national efforts to make Guyana a better place for all,” Rohee told reporters during a media briefing at the Public Building’s committee room.
He said the PPP remains committed to this and would not be detracted by the shenanigans of the combined political parliamentary Opposition, comprising the APNU and AFC.

The PPP General-Secretary said, “The PPP would like to forthrightly condemn the callous manner in which APNU and AFC used their combined one-seat majority to impose cuts in the budget of 2014.
“These inhumane cuts would once again serve to deny Guyanese the opportunity to derive the intended benefits in keeping with the PPP-led government’s trajectory of improving the lives of all and making Guyana a better place for Guyanese,” Rohee said.

BRUTAL ASSAULT
According to him, the “brutal assault” perpetrated on Guyana’s Amerindian citizens by the Opposition’s action of cutting the entire capital budget for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is a denial of crucial funds.
The General-Secretary explained that the allocation of the $1.1B as capital expenditure is indicative of the importance the PPP-led Government places on Amerindians.
Rohee assured that the current Administration will not allow the Opposition to deny the Amerindian people their right to a better Guyana and would not shirk from its responsibility to continue to implement mechanisms to this effect.

HEARTLESS DENIAL
Rohee stated that the Opposition, in its quest to deny all Guyanese the opportunity to access modernised and specialised health care through the Specialty Hospital, have not even taken into consideration that in cutting the funding for this much needed hospital from the 2014 budget, they have heartlessly denied the provision of Regional and Clinical health services. The PPP believes that on the part of the AFC, their vehement objection to the Specialty Hospital is precipitated on the grounds of self-interest of one of its senior member.

This self-interest has resulted in the Regions being denied funding for the purchase of much needed ambulances, water and river transportation devices, office furniture and equipment and the rehabilitation of buildings to house Doctors.
“As our country continues to advance, our Party-led government remains steadfast to providing more efficient and effective services, including healthcare, to all, throughout the country,” Rohee said.
He said it is therefore critical that as more Doctors are added to the healthcare delivery system, accommodation within the various Regions is crucial for a timely delivery of services.

“The question must be asked, why would the opposition clamour to deprive citizens of services which would provide a better life for them? Why would they want to bring undue suffering to the people of this nation? Our Party can only interpret the Opposition’s actions as vindictive politics and as a blatant attempt aimed at returningh Guyana to the days of hopelessness when that regime was in office,” Rohee said.
He said the Opposition’s obsession to deny the country the benefits of the many visionary and transformative projects implemented by the PPP-led government, is unparalleled and their obsession to have the country’s progress regress, is unmatched.

(By Vanessa Narine)