Written By Dr. Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA Chairman, Vision Guyana
THE People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) was the majority winner in the 2011 elections. Neither of the Opposition parties have enough votes to block the government from implementing planned programmes. 

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) tries to act as if it has won a majority of parliament. It has NOT. If it was not for the Alliance For Change (AFC) supporting APNU, our nation would have a better chance of moving forward. The AFC basically has now become part of APNU’s ideology.
Both of these groups, APNU and AFC are minority groups, who do not have any power to impose their own views on the nation. Although voters would have voted for each party because of some ideology, the fact that AFC and APNU have combined to vote down important legislation and budgets, once again supports the fact that they have become entangled as one body. By doing so, they have enough power to veto the agenda of the majority.
I take this quote from an article in the Atlantic referring to a trend around the world, and recently the USA. I believe it also applies to the Opposition in Guyana: “These disrupters have no interest in helping govern the nation; their goal is to undermine or altogether block the initiatives of their political rivals and ensure their failure. And they justify the ‘collateral damage’ of their belligerence in terms of noble-sounding national causes – from curbing intrusive government to stopping its wasteful ways, and from protecting the middle class to battling corruption. Raising the flag of the common good, divisive leaders deftly obscure the fact that they and their close allies are the primary beneficiaries of their obstructionism. This is happening not just in Italy or the United States. ‘Governance accidents’ that paralyze national governments have become a global trend.”
President Barack Obama won the elections with a majority while the Republicans won majority just in the House of Representatives, yet had the power to cause the shutdown which caused the economy of the United States billions of dollars. APNU/AFC has also caused grave damage to the economy of Guyana. I would estimate billions just in the last two years.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT – At Major Risk
Recently, APNU chastised the Private Sector for not investing in the Amaila Project knowing very well that our private sector industries fall outside the energy sector. This was a direct slam at the Private Sector which has held our economy together. A project of that magnitude required a large foreign investor and a public/private sector approach as was in this case. I believe it was commendable that we could have attracted such a large investor in our country, sadly the Opposition scared the investor away. The Marriott also will bring about an image of success for our nation as outlined in Dr. Shamir Ally’s letter in most newspaper dailies on Oct 7, 2013, “A Marriott in Guyana will improve the Country’s Global Image”.
The Opposition has clearly demonstrated that they are anti-business and their lack of support for both foreign and local investment which is a prerequisite for success as a nation. Senior leaders of the Opposition have called our private sector weak. I hope our business community is paying close attention to these critical signs of opposing the economic engine of growth – the private sector.
The Road to Brazil which needs to be done now and is in the PPP/C plan but opposed by the Opposition is being actively pursued by Suriname to have a road from Brazil leading to their waterways.
In addition, Dubai-based Kaloti Jewelry Group has signed an agreement with the Government of Suriname to establish a government-owned Mint. The Mint will process the gold to a purity of 99.9 percent. United Arab Emirates-based DP World is finalising the acquisition of a 51 percent stake in two port operating companies in Suriname.
Dubai-based metals and mining company Gulf Pacific has expressed interest in investing up to US$2 billion in Suriname’s extractive industries. Hong Kong-based Greenheart Group Ltd. plans to invest in two giant saw mills in Suriname’s interior. Guyana with its Political Blockade is losing out on foreign investment and our neighbours are waiting and ready to take the goodies away from us.

CONCLUSION: A Charge to Liberals Guyanese
Guyana is changing rapidly. Many of our population are becoming more educated than in past years. Changing Demographics are also a factor. Many have continued our entrepreneurship spirit and are starting small businesses. It will be imperative that they assess our current political blockade and the negative impact it has on our nation. As they study the global trend, one will quickly realise that unless reversed, nations such as ours will be left behind.

We have to understand that havoc can be caused by a small minority group as was the case in the USA and is the case in Guyana.
Liberal and business minded Guyanese have to step up and ensure that we get back on track of development. We cannot let a few in the Opposition continue to create havoc and prevent growth. I have always advocated that all of us are investors in our nation, we have to invest in the political arena also in order to ensure growth. The Opposition continues to fail; their lack of vision, lack of plans, lack of common respect for our private sector alone demonstrate they are not in any contention of governing. Supporters of the Opposition need to branch away and embrace a national focus for our nation, one that will benefit all and to stop the political blockade.

FACT: 2011 Election Results : * APNU/PNC was 9% behind the PPP/C, * AFC was 39% behind the PPP/C