Budget debate…
PEOPLE’S National Congress Reform-One Guyana (PNCR-1G) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Mervyn Williams was cautioned thrice, by Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, on Wednesday, about some of his remarks during debate on the 2011 National Budget.
The Opposition MP had said that the dream of a better Guyana, promised by the current administration, does not extend to the average folk, but rather is for the “19 government ministers and their families.” Reprimanding him, the Speaker told Williams; “You are not on the right line.”
Continuing, Williams declared there is only real need for nine government ministers, but, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), there are 19.
At that stage, heckling MPs on the government side reminded that there were 25 Ministers under the PNC and as many as five vice-presidents at one time.
Williams also spoke about the number of duty-free concessions and land, as well as other resources which, he said, the current administration treats as self-indulgences.
The Speaker, again, reminded Williams of the standard code to which MPs are expected to adhere and the latter retracted the last assertions.
However, Williams went on to criticise what he described as “the dismal performance” of the current administration and the sad state of affairs in the country.
He alluded to the status of some projects, in drainage and irrigation (D&I) particularly and claimed much is left to be desired when it comes to value for money.
Williams cited, as an example, the drying floors built for the rice sector which, he said, are being used, instead, for recreation by youths.
He found shortcomings in almost every area where services are delivered, ranging from  developments in infrastructure, construction of white elephants and a system he did not identify but which he said is failing Guyana’s children.
Williams made reference, as well, to the recent incident in which a school teacher is alleged to have molested a 13-year-old boy student of Saraswat Primary School on the West Coast of Demerara.
According to the MP, the abuse of boys is the reason for their non-performance or poor performance in schools.
The Speaker interrupted Williams, once more, saying his argument, that young boys do not perform in schools because they are being abused, seemed odd.
“I find that very odd,” Ramkarran said.
The sentiments from the Chair were echoed by government MPs, who continued their heckling at what they contended was a flawed proposition.