GOVERNMENT early yesterday morning blasted the political opposition for voting to cut the entire transport section budgetary allocation of $5.6B for the Public Works Ministry.

It was “profoundly disappointing” Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said.
He was joined by other top government officials at a media briefing immediately following the combined opposition’s cut. The minister outlined the areas such as the Ogle Airport expansion project, the purchasing of key equipment for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the CJIA expansion project, along with repairs and maintenance to hinterland airstrips that would be adversely affected.
The fact that the opposition still went ahead with the proposed cuts was ridiculous, he said, given the fact that all questions asked were answered and any additional information requested would have been provided.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh noted that the opposition should have been able to use its one seat majority in a responsible manner, but instead, resorted to a most irresponsible display of what he described as their “tyranny of a one seat majority”.
Minister Singh said that the initial cuts targeted the CJIA expansion project, which is a bi-lateral agreement with the Chinese Government, via a legally binding contract which had already been passed in the National Assembly in 2012 by the same opposition members. This latest move by the opposition penalises the Guyanese public, he added, and is extremely disappointing.
Meanwhile Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali, in brief remarks, said that the move to make the CJIA a Category 1 airport, according to international standards, is now in jeopardy, along with proposed meetings with potential foreign airlines. These airlines, which he said are needed to ensure competition and lower airfares for locals and the diaspora, need reassurance before they enter a market such as Guyana. The recent actions of the opposition have now put all of this in doubt, according to Minister Ali.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee also blasted the opposition for their actions, noting that the decision was made after a mere 20 minutes in the House, describing it as “a very sad day for Guyana”. The Home Affairs Minister pointed out the need for maintenance of interior airstrips as being key to maintaining security in certain hinterland locations which are otherwise inaccessible.
Parliamentary Chief Whip Gail Teixeira said that the Guyanese public was able to see the true nature of the combined opposition and said they had exposed their true nakedness for all to see. Describing the budget cut as, “reprehensible, anti-national and unpatriotic”, Teixeira noted that statements by the opposition that government could bring back the transport budgetary allocation to Parliament for consideration was ridiculous, as it sent the wrong signal to potential investors about the security of their investments. “Ego, hatred and vitriol won over patriotism,” she stated.
Guyana is now faced with possible legal penalties, according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall. He said that several of the programmes and projects cut by the political opposition are legally binding, and could attract massive penalties that would have to be paid by government and ultimately by taxpayers. He expressed confidence in the Chief Justice Ian Chang making a final ruling on the legality of the budget cut case of 2012, and said that letters have been received indicating a hearing on this matter on May 8.