GOVERNMENTS have the task of protecting and providing for their citizens. They have to protect citizens from violence and the vicissitudes of life and provide public goods at the level necessary to ensure a globally competitive economy and a well-functioning society.

Wherever possible, governments have to invest in citizens to enable them to provide for themselves in rapidly and continually changing circumstances. The situation in Guyana is no different.

Unfortunately, the PPP/C Government did not have a solid foundation when it entered office in August 2020. In fact, it inherited fractured systems which were in urgent need of fixing.

Any plans to immediately tackle a development agenda had to be put on hold indefinitely, and every ounce of energy had to be exerted towards fixing those broken systems.

While this was a top priority, the government knew that at the same time it had to ensure that the basic necessities were provided to citizens.

There was lots of work to be done in the health, education, tourism and security sectors. Public works and several other sectors were also on the long to-do list.

Things are now at a more manageable level, thereby allowing the government of the day to execute its own plans with precision.

Ministers have used the ongoing budget debate to highlight the missteps made by the APNU+AFC and the corrective actions they have had to take.

According to Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, the government is focused on the task at hand, especially as it pertains to fixing the shortcomings of the APNU+AFC. He even hinted that he has done a lot more in his ministry than his predecessor.

He assured that Budget 2023 is “strategic, purpose-driven and well-orchestrated,” and contains billions for bridges and roads, which are integral to the development of the country.

For him, it is one that will promote the country’s development to bring about transformation, modernisation and prosperity.

The actions of APNU+AFC that tainted the country’s international image was included in the presentation made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd.

He said the government has been in damage control mode to try and rebuild Guyana’s image since entering office.

He recalled that the Head of the Organisation of American States (OAS) Elections Observer Mission (EOM) to Guyana, former Prime Minister (PM) of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, had said that “the pernicious actions of a few, have wreaked considerable damage to Guyana’s image and reputation.”

The government, in response to this, has spent most if not all of its time in office thus far, rebuilding to the extent that Guyana’s international footprints have increased dramatically.

Everyone now wants to invest in Guyana. They are seeing opportunities for partnerships which will be beneficial to both parties. This could only have been possible through the hard work of the government.

“Guyana’s international image has been repaired. It’s on the move and being led by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali,” Minister Todd told the National Assembly before adding that the character of the Opposition has always been one of a “wrecking ball.”

Based on his utterances, the PPP/C has always been there to clean up the mess made and has kept the economy on the right path towards development.

According to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, the PPP/C Government inherited a broken health system which has since been given new life.

Like his fellow ministers, he chastised the APNU+AFC and said that they have left behind a legacy of broken promises, incompetence and mismanagement.

Fixing all of the inherited problems will take a lot of work, but the government has publically shown that it is up to the task. It had proven time and time again that things will get better.

It knows that in addition to fixing what was broken, it has to pursue a development agenda that will benefit every single Guyanese.