-Harmons calls out PPP for rebellion against order

THE opposition mindset is rebellious against order as under their stewardship the country was in a state of lawlessness, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told the National Assembly Tuesday in his budget presentation.

“Mr. Speaker the complaints by the opposition that the budget is murderous and it would lead to suicide and other forms of violence portrays an opposition mindset of a rebellion against order,” he said.

In giving an example of the lawlessness, Minister Harmon explained that licences were granted to persons who were not qualified to use the roadways. “This has wreaked carnage on our roadways and yet we wonder why there are so many deaths, when examined those persons that were given licence did not even go through the test,” Harmon said.

Harmon said that such an environment of lawlessness was the hallmark of the PPP administration. He further said that the scare tactics used under the PPP is well-known. “The PPP always, and continue to utilise fear as an element of control of their dwindling support base. Mr. Speaker they aim to galvanise their support-base for congress, which is scheduled for next week, and that is what it’s all about,” Harmon said. He emphasized that Guyanese will recall similar language at the time of the debate on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter the Financing of Terrorism Bill in the 10th Parliament.

Choir boys
“They mobilise the same choir boys that you hear singing about the budget, it was doom and gloom if the opposition at that time did not agree to the PPP provisions in the bill, all across this country Mr. Speaker they went about scaring people,” Harmon reflected. “ They were telling them business will shut down, no money transfer can come in, that contractors cannot walk around with more than US$10,000 to pay their workers because the provisions under the law were making it possible for a senior police officer to seize their money.”

Harmon continued: “So Mr. Speaker the PPP and the small ‘C’ is a party that has been known to raise the specter of violence to gather in the flock, and now it is no different as they attempt to vilify a well-crafted budget for their narrow political agenda.” “Withdraw the budget is the rallying call for a party whose numbers are dwindling,” Harmon charged even as he referenced Finance Minister Winston Jordon’s remarks that the government has made a budgetary allocation of almost $1B to implement a series of renewable energy and energy-efficient products.

Solar farm
Additionally, Harmon reminded the house that under the renewable energy programme in 2017 there will be a solar energy farm on a large scale in Mabaruma. This, he said will result in an overall annual savings of $193M and avoided carbon dioxide emissions of 1,674 tonnes per year.

Harmon said budget 2017 is a continuum of the programmes and policies which started in 2015 aimed at strengthening institutions and restoring confidence. “These are works in progress even as we address the building of a diversified economy of a good life for all. Mr. Speaker the budget is demonstrative of the strength of government to take hard decisions to build our economy,” he opined.
Speaking of the President’s vision and development in agriculture, Harmon said climate resistant agriculture, eco-tourism, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the promotion of renewable energy generation will ensure a diversified and resilient economy, while promoting green growth, green employment and a secure, clean and healthy environment for future generations. “The importance of the green agenda Mr. Speaker is underscored by the fact that the institutional arrangements for its realisation fall within the remit of the Department of the Environment within the Ministry of the Presidency and therefore under the direct supervision of his Excellency the President,” Harmon said.

Further, Harmon said under the PPP it was the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and it was equivalent to environment 101, but under the APNU the green pathway is environment 505. He said the PPP has a narrow vision of the potential for Guyana, while the ‘green agenda’ has become a reality.

“Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment will ensure a more effective communication, cooperation and coordination amongst the agencies concerning climate change, energy generation, environmental protection, forest conservation, national parks, protective areas, rivers and wildlife protection,” Harmon said. “I’m sorry the time is so short because the green pathway is such a pathway that you can speak on it for a very long time,” Harmon declared as the Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland lightheartedly asked the Minister to not engage in such a lengthy procedure. He said current land use and national patrimony will promote learning and innovation. Further, Harmon said Prince Harry, who recently visited Iwokrama International Centre lauded the development and efforts being made to promote and conserve Guyana’s natural habitat.