It has been the  habitual practice of  both political opposition parties, A Partnership

for National Unity (APNU)  and the Alliance For Change (AFC), to vilify Government’s  many  socio-economic programmes over the years.
The tenor of such criticisms has been to convey the false and erroneous  impression  that the programmes have not been  well thought out, and therefore their intended beneficiaries have not benefited; that the expenditure far exceeds the actual cost of whatever project has been implemented; and, as a result,  Guyana’s economy is in a state of stagnation.
These accusations, as time has proven, have all been without foundation and merit; for the answer is all around, standing out as a monument to wise and competent management of the nation’s  development policies.
One can only  continue  to be amazed at such an ostrich-in- the- sand strategy by the Opposition. But it is really the well known tactic of the latter,   seeking  to de-emphasise all the very satisfying results that have accrued to the benefit of the nation, and which have   made Guyana the shining light of economic development among her sister CARICOM member states. With a sustained economic growth  record  of  5% for a  seventh consecutive year, those perennial critics must know that such performance is not an Houdini achievement!
Even the international multilateral financial agencies have been noting Government’s competency of managing the economy, and have all given their highest commendations, ranging from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF),  and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). And as both opposition parties are only too aware  – the IMF does not mince matters in its assessment of member states’ economic performance. Only prudent management earns its best praises!
Even the Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, has lauded Guyana for its  continued   economic performance, when it commented  favourably on its  local subsidiary’s portfolio  performance for 2012.
Now once again, Guyana has  been praised by  the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) president Dr. William Warren Smith, for its project implementation record, as it pertains to the bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), at the launch of the institution’s seventh cycle of US$7.1M.
Not only has Guyana implemented most of the projects in accordance with the 5th and 6th cycles of the Trust, but has been adjudged one of its best performers.  The CDB President  showered  encomiums on  the  ‘Finance Ministry and all other agencies and community-based groups for a job well done’, and emphasised that the work  the bank is doing in Guyana “showcases in a very graphic and successful manner what CDB franchise value means”.
Such commendations are indeed a total vindication of the Government’s understanding of the development needs of the country, particularly as it relates to ending poverty.
Better yet, it is also indicative of its promptness  in ensuring that timelines are met in  accordance  with the actualisation of results for the projected  benefits to the communities and their citizens. This stands at the heart of poverty-reduction programmes, and will continue now that the 7th cycle of the BNTF has been launched.
Just a reminder to those unconscionable critics within the political  opposition  – that it has been a very challenging task on the part of the PPP/C Government, resurrecting this country from its prostrate position after the ‘long dark night’ of PNC government rule. But a government that  unambiguously understands what are the  development imperatives  for the nation and its people, especially of  introducing initiatives such as those offered under the aegis of the CDB’s BNTF, that addresses the core issue of empowering  citizens, is indeed one that has  deservedly earned  its high praises.
No amount of  baseless criticisms from APNU and the AFC, can ever negate this fact.