THE upcoming debate on Tuesday of the $208.8B national budget for 2013, among other things, will serve to expose “those who pander to superficiality,” seek confrontation, and betray their lack of interest and resolve in achieving the best for Guyanese.

Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Roger Luncheon made this observation yesterday at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the President, in Georgetown.
Cabinet, however, intends to pursue the budget, its debate, and its final endorsement in the most “constructive of ways,” keeping its attention focused on development and on the welfare of Guyanese.
“The budget debate would provide Guyanese with ample opportunity to discern who really, which political forces are out there with a focus on the development of the nation, and the care and welfare, of its citizens.
“Cabinet insisted that, as we contemplate the budget, we should not ignore what is happening in the CARICOM region, with the economies; with our sister CARICOM countries, and we should make the necessary comparisons to allow us to have a better and a more informed perspective about Guyana, its economy, and its development,” Luncheon remarked.
Meanwhile, he said Finance Minister Ashni Singh was commended by Cabinet for his successful efforts in preparing and presenting the 2013 budget. He observed that the budget was designed with the future in mind, and to promote the ambitions and achievements of Guyanese.
“It was Cabinet’s assertion that the budget demonstrated that the PPP/C Government had rejected any descent into superficiality and recklessness that characterised the opposition’s activities in the National Assembly,” he said.