In Parliament…
ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Minister, Mr. Charles Ramson, maintained, in the National Assembly Friday,  that one cannot hijack something that belongs to oneself. He was responding to repeated claims, by the Opposition, that the International Year for People of African Descent has been  hijacked for political reasons.
Ramson pointed out that a State has to accept the resolution on any such observance and the United Nations (UN) General  Assembly, outlining the celebration of an international year, indicated encouragement for Member States “to make  preparations for and identify possible initiatives that can contribute to the success.”
He said, even as a blessed nation, God only helps those who help themselves and that approach has been taken by the current  administration, to deliver more and better in a sustainable way for the Guyanese people.
Ramson dismissed the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), introduced by the previous People’s National Congress (PNC)  Government as an ‘Empty Rice Pot’ that left the country at a disadvantage.
People’s National Congress Reform – One Guyana (PNCR-1G) MP, Mr. Basil Williams, refuted that criticism, maintaining that  the positive effects of the ERP continued up to 1996.
“After that, there was negative growth, from 1997 right down to 2003/2004…the Economic Recovery Programme instituted under  the PNC has always had proper and acceptable acclaim by all of the relevant experts in the world,” he said.
Ramson argued, however, that Guyana and Guyanese people have come a far way, from being the “economic pariah” of the  Caribbean to now the “cream of the crop” under the stewardship of the present Government.

Never misses
“The Opposition never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity,” he declared.
In that context, Ramson challenged the Opposition to present critiques to the House rather than criticisms for the sake of  opposing.
He declared: “Guyana is our country and pressing a negative image, misrepresentations which paint only half the picture is  not healthy for Guyana as a developing country on the move.”
Another PNCR-1G MP, Ms. Clarissa Riehl, also a lawyer, was critical of the computerization of Guyana’s law books intended  to put Guyana on par with other countries.
She charged that there were deficiencies in the process.
Ramson replied that the procedure is expected to be completed by the end of March and is something that has happened only  under the current Administration.
“What has not happened in 33 years is being done now,” he claimed.
Riehl, among others in the Opposition, advocated law reform but Ramson said, at the rate Guyana is going, there is no need  for it.
The Minister said the highest number of law reports was presented to the National Assembly under the People’s Progressive  Party/Civic (PPP/C) than under any other regime.
Williams rejoined the exchange, repeating Riehl’s contention and said a Law Review Committee is needed, rather than waste  taxpayers monies on undertakings that are both inefficient and ineffective, like the computerization.
“The budget has not impacted on the Guyanese people,” he said.
Refering to the repeated allegations of corruption, Ramson, quoting from ‘Guyana – a Nation in Transit’, written by Senior  Counsel Ashton Chase, emphasised that the level was worse under the previous regime but Opposition MPs implied that the  source of the information is a biased one.

Important areas
Williams urged focus on important areas, such as what he described as a “frightening health care system.”
Ramson directed his attention to what was recorded about the health sector prior to the PPP/C assuming office:
* essential medical supplies were not available;
* there was the dubious practice of spreading out the existing medical supplies by, for example, reusing needles;
* two patients on one bed and, sometimes, on the floor;
* survival at the hospitals was a game of luck and chance and
* trained nurses, expressly, exited the system in large numbers without a chance of return.

MP and Presidential Advisor, Ms. Gail Teixeira, in her presentation, the same evening, said there is no denying of  incidents of corruption but appealed for the matters to be brought to light and assured that they will be addressed.
To that, Williams noted the need for an appreciation of the justice needs of the Guyanese people.
“Justice is a low priority for that side of the House,” he stated.
Williams cited the large number of people “languishing” in prison, where they lost their youth because they were picked up  for “some East Coast crime.”
Several Government MPs deemed his reference to the massacre on East Coast Demerara as callous but Williams registered his  “wonder” at the Government’s agenda for keeping the accused imprisoned.
Guyana Action Party/Rise Organise and Rebuild (GAP/ROAR) MP, Mr. Everall Franklin condemned the current administration’s  governance as corrupt and wasteful stewardship.
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Ms. Pauline Sukhai responded by stating that the Guyanese people have always been at the  centre of the PPP/C’s developmental agenda.
She said critics need to do proper “surveys” which give a complete picture of not only the flaws but also the advances and  systems in place to address improvement.