-urges Coalition to drop race banter and operate with integrity

“I DO not need to defend the budget; the budget defends itself,” were the sentiments shared by Lenox Shuman, representative of the minority parliamentary opposition, as he rose to debate the government’s proposed $383.1 billion budget on Friday night in the National Assembly.

Shuman said that even though Budget 2021 is not perfect, it is good enough “to repair the damage, to stabilise the financial ground and to fortify for a better and more progressive Guyana.”
The former Toshao of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission) expressed satisfaction regarding the budgetary allocations that would benefit Guyana’s Indigenous peoples across Guyana.
“That we have $630 million for the revival of the Amerindian Land Titling Programme is far superior than what was done under the PNC rule for the last five years. The entire Annai sub-district was gazetted as an NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Council), thus revoking the land titling of the Indigenous peoples of that area, which is a clear violation of the multitude of international laws,” Shuman indicated.

The Leader of the Joinder Party also pointed to several issues that were not catered for in this year’s budget, including the much-needed stipend increases for Toshaos, as well as more financial support for the National Toshao’s Council. Shuman said that while there are no laws that make it mandatory for governments to consult stakeholders before preparing a national budget, he was happy that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had reached out to many persons and groups before compiling and presenting the country’s financial blueprint.
“I cannot disagree with progress… The ADF (Amerindian Development Fund) is replenished to the tune of $1.5 billion. How can I be against anything that stands to benefit the most marginalised population of this country?” the Member of Parliament queried.

Shuman reminded his colleagues in the opposition benches that their role is to ensure that the government is held accountable to the people of Guyana. He encouraged his fellow opposition MPs to maintain their integrity and desist from using racism as a cover for incompetence.
“When you lack substance, the default cannot be race. It is unbecoming of a nation that is 54 years old,” Shuman posited.

He also encouraged the government to remain true to its “One Guyana” slogan and pursue the establishment of a reconciliation unit to bring Guyanese together in harmony. Referring to the rolling out of the contents of the 2021 Budget, Shuman pointed to the need for an active Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
“The PAC, the Public Accounts Committee, now becomes the focal point of accountability and we must conduct ourselves with integrity if we are to be taken seriously. They are the government and we are the opposition and as the opposition, if we do not want our slip to show, we cannot slip,” Shuman said, as he took a jab at Chairperson of the PAC, David Patterson who is currently facing fraud charges as well as a blocked no-confidence motion.

Shuman also responded to accusations of him being a “subset” of the PPP/C government.
“If it means that I stand on the side of and fight for democracy, then I am a subset. If it means that I have vision for a progressive Guyana, free from oppression, then I am a subset. If it means that I am against dictatorship then, I am a subset. If it means that I am against intellectually bankrupting a country, then I am a subset. If it means that I am for Indigenous rights, then I am a subset, and if it means that I am on the side of an inclusive Guyana. then I most definitely and unapologetically am a subset,” Shuman asserted.

In concluding, the Amerindian leader said that he has given the budget a “B” grade, since “it does for Guyana what is needed.”