…hopes Opposition will rethink their stance
THE Parliamentary Opposition parties are still to respond positively to government’s invitation to participate in pre-budget consultations even as preparations for its presentation in the National Assembly remain ongoing.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said that despite formal invitations to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), both parties have declined to participate in the consultative process with officials of the Ministry of Finance.
“I don’t know whether they will shift their position; but as of now, there is an open invitation from government to the Opposition to meet with them on Budget 2014, and as of now, they have not accepted that invitation. Indeed, they have gone as far as to say that they have no intention of meeting with us,” Dr Singh said during an interview.
Asked about the recent meeting between opposition parliamentarians and the hierarchy of the Guyana Defence Force  (GDF) and the signals of support for the military, the minister said that government is happy that everyone is on board and supportive of efforts to strengthen and protect Guyana’s borders and ensure compliance with local laws.
He made the observation, however, that despite the platitudes and expressions uttered by the political Opposition, it has been proven “time and time again, that they are not faithful to their word and cannot be trusted.”
The minister recalled that when a request was made for supplementary funds via the Parliament by the GDF, it was APNU which led what was described as an “unprecedented assault” on the query, requesting details about the need for additional funding.
The Finance Minister noted that the National Budget will be presented as it is constitutionally mandated, and he is hopeful that the Opposition will be supportive of every ministry’s allocations.
“If they keep it up, at that rate, hopefully we’ll have a smooth passage of the budget, intact. They should meet with NCN and GINA…like I said, we welcome support from any quarter, but this Opposition cannot be taken on their word as they have proven time and time again.”
The minister noted that Government’s policy is to engage with various stakeholders, particularly with regard to shaping policy and for input on key issues.  Through this mechanism, the constant exchange of views is enabled, and suggestions, issues, challenges and concerns are noted. “We are able to learn what their priorities are; we are able to explain issues and challenges so that they are better informed to formulate their own positions on issues,” the Finance Minister stated.
Consultations have been held with several stakeholders, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), and all have been described as a good series of engagements, according to the minister.
“The door is always open, there must be no doubt in their minds about that, and there must be no doubt in the minds of the people of Guyana that the Government of Guyana is open, willing and ready to meet with the Opposition at any time on the matter of Budget 2014, indeed on any matter of national importance, but more particularly on Budget 2014. That must be made crystal clear”.
The minister said that he remains optimistic that there will be a re-think within the ranks of the Opposition, as other key stakeholders have used the opportunity to have their views considered as Budget 2014 is compiled. (GINA)