PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds, in Parliament yesterday, read a statement regarding talks between President Donald Ramotar and Leader of the Opposition and of APNU, David Granger, “ to avoid unnecessary collisions in the exercise we are engaged in, of approving the nation’s budget.” Following is the text of the statement:
The discussions also followed on from the question asked by Hon. Member Volda Lawrence of the Minister of Finance in this Honourable House on Tuesday, April 17, whether Government would be willing to meet with the Opposition in relation to the Budget Estimates. The Hon. Finance Minister confirmed Government’s continued availability to receive views from Stakeholders and to consider these, provided that the matters to be discussed were documented and that the schedule for consideration of the estimates was adhered to in its entirety.

The Government believes that these meetings have been useful in creating a wider and better understanding of the inevitable, specific trade-offs in the fashioning of our nation’s budget and in avoiding unnecessary collisions.

Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge and express appreciation also for your own efforts in keeping relationships from breaking down.
Today’s (Thursday’s) discussions revolved around the ongoing considerable allocations to the electricity sector which are intended to cushion the impact of cost recovering electricity tariffs on our people, and acknowledging the special historical circumstances of Linden.

The discussion focused on Linden and what could be done to ease and make good the transition of Linden into a regular Guyanese town, and the greater inclusion and participation of all of Region 10 into the programmes and fortunes of Guyana as a whole; more specifically the matter of Linden electricity tariffs, along with other issues relating to Linden, were discussed.

In relation to electricity tariffs, it was agreed that alignment with the GPL tariffs and elimination of the Linden electricity subsidy was necessary. It was also agreed that the tariff adjustment will proceed from 2012, guided by the principles of gradualism and selectivity, with the transition to the aligned tariffs being introduced in a differentiated manner that cushioned the impact on the most vulnerable consumers.

It was further agreed that the first stage of tariff adjustment this year would be implemented along the lines outlined and in a manner that would ensure adherence to the allocation provided in Budget 2012, bearing in mind applicable budgetary constraints.

In relation to the promotion of accelerated growth in economic activity in Linden, government undertook to explore ways in which small business activity could be encouraged. In particular, government undertook to reactivate the post-LEAP/LEAF facility, now known as LEN, aimed at promoting affordable access to financing by small businesses in Linden and all across Region 10. Government also undertook to engage the financial services sector on the possibility of establishing small business financing facilities in Linden, along the lines of the WOW programme, also aimed at promoting more affordable access to financing.

In relation to television stations seen in Georgetown and the coast being available in Linden and across our country, our government will shortly be granting on application additional ‘over the air’ television broadcast licences, all over Guyana including Linden.

In relation to the continuing dust problem, the government will firmly hold BOSAI to its commitment to President Ramotar to complete the installation of the dust collecting system on the first kiln by the end of June this year, and on the second kiln by the end of September this year.