MEMBERS of the national Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC), based at 16 New Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), have expressed “utter dismay” at the combined parliamentary opposition parties’ rejection of the Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly.

In a media release signed by president of that body, Gyandat Marray, the ARCC described the combined opposition parliamentarians’ action in rejecting the bill as “irrational and anti-investment”.
“These lawmakers”, the ARCC press release said, “have, by their deafening inaction, undermined solid efforts by Government to catalyse the rotation of our wheels of industry; stultified structured attempts to leapfrog business growth; and retarded Guyana’s competitiveness, together with the nation’s modernisation trajectory”.
Calling for an urgent revision and reversal of this stance through open-minded dialogue and a speedy return to the established parliamentary process to unanimously pass the measures contained in the amendment, the ARCC said this should be done in the interest of non-partisan politics, unfettered patriotism, and a bright future for all Guyanese.
The Opposition parliamentary parties, APNU and AFC, have been roundly condemned by a number of stakeholders, including the Private Sector Commission and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, for their non-support of the Hydro-Electric Power  Bill.