THERE is the adage that alludes to the fact that with position comes responsibility. With regard to positions of public office, the two extremities of taking responsibility in the interest of the people and that of being irresponsible thereby working against the public’s interest, would have been noted. The latter continues to be characteristic of the current APNU+AFC opposition and a trait that was even evident when they were in government.
Their latest exhibition in this regard is the no-confidence motions (NCM) brought against two government ministers, Dr. Frank Anthony with responsibility for Health, and Robeson Benn who carries the Home Affairs portfolio. This must be seen from the standpoint of the Opposition deliberately trying to hinder progress within these two very important ministries.

In the case of health, the strides made just within a year, specifically with regard to COVID-19, and more especially the first few months of this People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government that took office on August 02, 2020, is incomparable to what transpired prior. The holistic interventions to combat the pandemic by this government, including the seeming unmatched efforts to make the necessary vaccines available, are exemplary when compared to many other nations.
That speaks to the unwavering commitment by the government to safeguard the welfare of the citizenry’s health, which is vital not just to life, but to further reopening the country to expand economic activity. As it is, COVID-19 vaccines are easily and freely available across the country, to the point where people are literally being begged to get inoculated.

Before the current government came to office, COVID-19 testing was minimal, due to the lack of capacity in terms of training, equipment and availability within the various regions. More so, it appears that there was a glaring absence of a plan on the part of APNU+AFC to respond to the pandemic and related impact. Now, with necessary equipment acquired allowing for testing to be ramped up and decentralized, and vaccination ongoing, the country is on far better footing.
With regard to security-related issues, the fact that the government is making necessary interventions to ensure the safety of all is further demonstrative of that commitment to protect lives and property. That in itself breeds confidence in both the populace and foreign investors which have positive all-round impact. That is demonstrative of prudent leadership from the President and his ministers in responding to challenges faced by the populace.

In all the other sectors, ongoing developments are in keeping with promises made, and also to mitigate challenges that arise with time, and are all part of a visionary approach for transformative development. This is what responsible governments do; they work in the interest of the people. Therefore, any attempt to derail such efforts is woefully irresponsible, for it not only undermines development, but jeopardises the welfare of the people.
Therefore, the two no-confidence motions by APNU+AFC alluded to, can only be seen as a deliberate endeavour to stymie progress, and put at risk the lives of the citizenry. All Guyanese are concerned about crime and its impact; all would want to be comforted that tangible efforts are being made by the government to keep them safe.
APNU+AFC’s NCM against the Home Affairs Minister must be seen as a purposeful ploy to undermine vital efforts to keep the populace safe. Similarly, the NCM against the Health Minister is designed to incapacitate all efforts to confront the still ongoing COVID-19

pandemic, and to safeguard the well-being of the nation. It’s difficult to reach a different conclusion, especially given the historical context of the characteristic of the APNU+AFC.
The opposition is also expected to work in the best interest of the people, since they are elected. They also have a role to play in the development of the country, and must therefore act in a responsible manner. What is currently playing out is far from that. The APNU+AFC’s push to waste taxpayers’ money to debate the pointless no-confidence motions further fortifies the belief that they are irresponsible.