Dear Editor,
THERE is no doubt that the rise in the cost of living is affecting all our Guyanese people.
The government’s announcement of a number of interventions such as the $25,000 cash grant for households in riverine and hinterland communities is a welcome move.
News reports quoted the President as saying that some $800M will be put into households in communities across the country. This is quite a significant figure and must be lauded.
Secondly, the farming community suffered a triple whammy. Farmers had to contend with the effects brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, then the massive flooding which destroyed crops and livestock, and to make things worse they had to deal with the effects of a steep rise in the price of fuel, which sent up transportation and fertiliser costs. This rise was undoubtedly transmitted to consumers as prices for vegetables, other farm produce, and meat went up significantly. The announcement by the President that the government will purchase $1B worth of fertilisers which will be distributed to all farmers for free is therefore welcome, as it will reduce production costs.
These and other interventions, though they might not see a drastic reduction in the price of food and other items, will still provide some relief.
Guyana is not alone in terms of feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which have driven up fuel prices.
At present, the Guyana government collects zero taxes from the sale of fuel. This, along with the other relief interventions, should all be commended. Many other countries right here in the Caribbean and across the world have not seen this sort of action taken.
Yours respectfully,
Attiya Baksh