Teixeira tells Parliament…
PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Ms. Gail Teixeira, last Friday, dismissed the   Opposition’s focus during the 2011 Budget Debate as backward looking, reactionary and separatist and lacking any   alternative vision for Guyana’s future. “It is one thing to be reactionary and reactive. It is another thing to come up with your own notions on how we solve our   nation’s problems,” she told the National Assembly.
According to her, on the other hand, members on the Government side presented a view that is forward looking and filled   with hope and optimism for the future.
Teixeira said the People’s National Congress Reform – One Guyana (PNCR-1G) presentations on the budget “predictable” while   proffering that the Alliance for Change (AFC) MPs tried their hand at innovation.
“The PNC and the AFC have gone into a new swing,” she concluded.
In her contribution, AFC MP, Mrs. Sheila Holder declared that, in the International Year of People of African Descent, the   current administration will sink to new depths of maladministration.
Her colleague, Mr. David Patterson listed 50 projects he said are “cork balls in waiting” for which a single stone has not   yet been laid.
Teixeira voiced disappointment at what she labelled the negative and reckless approach to presentations in the House.
“In the vision of hope, no one on this side of the House said it is perfect. No one has said we have confronted all our   problems. No one has said that there are not areas we have to keep working on. What we have said is that the macro-economic   vision and stability of this country is something that has put Guyana in a position it has never been in before,” she  said.
Teixeira said the proposals will see Guyana take off at a rapid pace.
She said there has never been a denial of corruption and admitted that it needs to be addressed.
“We have to look at ways in which we can make rapid steps forward. This is a budget of hope and cautious optimism for the   future,” she said.
She said the move forward has been made possible with support from partners who have recognised the prudent management of   the state and the economy.
“The money does not come by magic. It has to come by prudent financial management, improving your economic base so that you   can produce more, make more revenue, pay your debts and put money into the development of the social sector and your   economic base,” Teixeira said.

Delivered
She posited that, in line with basic economic principles, the current administration has delivered goods and services to   the Guyanese people, directed to address pro-growth and pro-poor.
“The approach of this Government is two-pronged. We must look at the economic well-being of the country in order to improve   the quality of life for all our people,” Teixeira argued.
She urged the Opposition to understand basic economic principles and bring, to the National Assembly, real flaws and   weaknesses in the undertakings of and opportunities facilitated by the current Administration.
“What were the problems? How you, with your thinkers and analyses, feel we could do this better, for our people’s sakes?”   Teixeira asked, contending that the Opposition has failed to offer a serious and fundamental alternative vision but,   rather, criticised every initiative of the Government.
Charging that the Opposition is pulling out all its cards, accusations of corruption, discrimination and race, she said:   “All of this is on a level of expediency and convenience. What has our performance shown? Many members come with all kinds   of reports to show that we are not doing well.”
She observed that Opposition MPs questioned the data presented, everything from the Housing Sector statistics to economic   performance figures, but, still, offered no way where the questions of credibility lie.
Teixeira said that a source, far more credible than the biased presentations from the Opposition benches, has proven the   successes in the current Administration’s stewardship of the nation’s resources.
Citing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report that said, despite external and domestic shocks in 2010, Guyana’s   economy has exhibited resilience, she said: “As far as I know, this is one of the best reports I have had on our   performance in Guyana since independence. This is something we should all be proud of.”
Teixeira said misguided representations do not bear fruit, when it comes to assessing credible information available on   this country and asserted that, in spite of many challenges, Guyana has demonstrated an ability and a resilience to move   forward.
“This country has a spirit and an energy that does not let itself be daunted,” she said.
Teixeira, amidst Opposition heckling, said the current Administration has had to take over the development of Guyana after   the PNC regime left it broken up.

Rebuilt
“We had to build it back. It had to be rebuilt. When you get a house and you break it down, it does not take long. But,   when you have to rebuild, it takes longer,” she said.
She said the reconstruction of Guyana took a lot and the Opposition parties have not, as a loyal Opposition, fully   supported the move forward.  Rather they are a difficult and harsh Opposition.
“Many times, you were an obstructive Opposition. When you reach a point where something is going to be good for the   country, you put your bad eye on it, because you would rather see it fail, to justify your position, than to see it succeed   where it would benefit thousands of Guyanese people. I do not understand this anti-nationalist, unpatriotic view,”  Teixeira  confessed.
She said, however, that Guyana has come a long way with constitutional reform, parliamentary reforms and set a framework of   governance of which Guyanese should be proud.
Teixeira said Guyana was known for Jonestown, rigged elections and stolen ballot boxes but it has moved.
“I am proud, as a Guyanese. This country has undergone much duress and we have rebuilt this country, the physical   infrastructure and the social services, with a lot of energy, vision, time, guts, gumption and money. We have a success   story in this country, repositioning it for the future,” she asserted
Teixeira said this country has come back from the depths of 1992 and has overcome the major hurdles and is at a position to   climb to greater heights.
“The biggest challenge we face is how to build a level of trust and confidence at various levels of society, including   within the Government and the Opposition. We have started to turn that around but it will require more, consistent and   dedicated work,” Teixeira admiutted.