Opposition comments on supplementary financial provisions…
– Finance Minister
MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday dismissed as misleading and irresponsible certain comments made recently by the Opposition Alliance for Change (AFC) and People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) about the supplementary financial papers tabled in the National Assembly last Thursday by the government.

In his response, Minister Singh describes the comments as designing to distort the facts as they relate to the supplementary provisions being sought. The Minister also states that the comments clearly indicate the callous disregard that the Opposition has for the interests of the people of Guyana.

Minister Singh pointed out that the supplementary provisions include $987 million that relate to additional foreign inflows, reflecting accelerated implementation of foreign-funded projects in a number of areas. These include expenditure on such areas as sea defences, low-income housing, the solid waste disposal programme, and the education-for-all fast-track initiative. Each of these projects impacts directly and favourably on the day-to-day lives of the Guyanese people and, to the extent that these projects are being executed more rapidly and disbursements of foreign resources are being made correspondingly more rapidly than originally anticipated, the Government has a responsibility to process these transactions.

The Minister also pointed out that the supplementary provisions include $400 million, comprising support to the rice industry. By dismissing the importance of this supplementary provision, he says the Opposition has revealed the total lack of concern they have for the rice industry, from which thousands of Guyanese citizens in rural farming communities derive their livelihood.

The Minister emphasised that he found it most disappointing that the Opposition did not recognise the importance of Government’s support for this important sector of the economy.

On a similar note, Minister Singh expressed shock that the Opposition would wish to be dismissive of these supplementary provisions when they include $50 million worth of support to hinterland communities affected by El Nino. This support is critically needed, and the amounts sought will go a long way in alleviating the weather-induced hardships faced by the affected communities.

Minister Singh chided the Opposition by stating that no responsible politician could be dismissive of the circumstances of hinterland villages affected by weather phenomena such as El Nino, and he emphasised that despite Opposition criticism of the supplementary provision sought, the Government will remain unswerved and undaunted in its support to these communities.

The Finance Minister further pointed out that the supplementary provisions also include an amount of $1.3 billion for a roads programme that will see hundreds of roads rehabilitated and maintained throughout the coastal regions. Minister Singh pointed out that these roads are in dozens of villages including: In Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Buxton, Melanie, Vigilance, Friendship, Paradise, Annandale, and Herstelling; in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Weldaad, Hopetown, and Lovely Lass; in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Queenstown, Danielstown, Dartmouth, and Golden Fleece; and in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Manchester, Alness, Auchlyne, and Black Bush Polder; and dozens more.

The dismissive comments made by the Opposition, he said, are reflective their lack of respect and concern for the people of these and other communities, thousands of whom will benefit from the improved infrastructure in their villages.

In addition, Minister Singh pointed out that despite Opposition attempts at portraying concern for the sugar industry, their comments conveniently ignore the fact that the supplementary provisions include $1.4 billion of capital support for the sugar sector, specifically to be invested in the Enmore packaging plant. This injection by Government is designed to ensure that critical capital investment in the sector continues without putting further pressure on the cash flow situation of the Corporation. By conveniently ignoring this injection by Government, and by dismissing the supplementary provision sought in this regard, the Opposition’s disregard for the sugar sector and for the thousands of Guyanese people whose lives are intertwined with the sector is fully disclosed for all to see.

In conclusion, Minister Singh stated that each one of the supplementary provisions sought will have a favourable impact on the lives of the Guyanese people. He further emphasised that these provisions are being sought within a framework that will see the macroeconomic objectives set by Government preserved and remaining attainable. He reiterated his shock and disappointment that the Opposition would wish to be dismissive of critical interventions aimed to benefit the people of Guyana.