–APNU has no history of economic achievements, Dr Jagdeo says
–criticises party for seeking to avoid scrutiny of its record in government, lack of plans
WHILE schooling Opposition Economist Elson Low on his misguided approach to the issue of inflation, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, said that this is a ruse to distract Guyanese from the APNU+AFC’s unsuccessful tenure in office.
During a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, Dr Jagdeo responded to Lowe’s comment that implied that inflation is a choice.
Inflation is defined as the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. The rate of inflation is traditionally measured by the percentage change in a selected basket of consumer goods and services.
Low, during his party’s press conference, said: “Just because there is inflation somewhere in the world, means that Guyana has to have inflation.”
While criticising Low’s inability to understand basic economics, the PPP General Secretary remarked that this was a ploy to create an “alternative narrative.”
“But I guess Low is part of a very desperate camp that is seeking to avoid scrutiny of its record in government and secondly, its lack of plans,” he said.
Dr Jagdeo related that despite the narratives that the Opposition is trying to peddle, this shall remain fruitless as history cannot be altered.
“Now you can’t change facts… The fact of the matter is APNU does not have a history of economic achievements,” he firmly remarked.
Dr Jagdeo also went on to speak about Guyana’s economy during the 28 years under the PNC, and the outcomes such as the nation becoming one of the poorest countries in the world, with no opportunities for citizens.
Similarly, when the PNC-R-controlled APNU+AFC government was in office from 2015-2020, there were a number of issues which included massive job losses, the slew of taxes that were placed on the backs Guyanese, the removal of the ‘Because We Care’ grant, and the addition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, among other things which the General Secretary highlighted.
He related: “It’s a fact of the matter that it’s the most rapid growth of taxation in our entire history, that over 200 taxes and fees were instituted. The government collected nearly over $80 billion dollars more in taxes in that period. That’s their record.”
In response to the claim from the opposition that it has a huge developmental plan for Guyana, Dr Jagdeo said their track record in office and even their campaign trail leading up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections saw numerous promises being made but barely anything fulfilled.
To put things into perspective, on the subject of job creation, in 2017 the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of persons without jobs or sources of income. The move saw four sugar estates being closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.
However, with Guyana’s economy back on its feet and citizens being able to embrace its abundant benefits, Dr Jagdeo had announced since assuming office in 2020, more than 50,000 people have become employed under the PPP/C government.
Additionally, since the PPP/C assumed office, tax reforms have formed part of the government’s wider agenda to improve the quality of life in Guyana and address immediate economic challenges that affect Guyanese.
These include the removal of VAT from water and electricity, building and construction materials, basic food items and household necessities, with which the previous APNU+AFC government had burdened Guyanese.
