IN a recent and spirited exchange of political critiques, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo lambasted the Alliance For Change (AFC) leader, Nigel Hughes, for what he termed as the party’s “intellectual bankruptcy.”

Dr. Jagdeo’s scathing remarks came during a press conference at Freedom House, where he addressed an editorial by Stabroek News. The editorial, which was critical of the government’s alleged “political short-termism,” drew on comments by Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Chief Economist Eric Parrado, who decried inconsistent policymaking across administrations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

Dr. Jagdeo countered Parrado’s assertions by emphasising the unique challenges faced by developing nations, arguing that many have suffered due to external pressures rather than flawed domestic policies.

He underscored how the global environment often undermines the efforts of developing countries, leading to welfare losses not from internal mismanagement but from an unsympathetic international arena. The attempt by developed nations to “even the playing field,” according to Dr. Jagdeo, has distorted the development tools available to smaller countries.

Hughes, meanwhile, has been vocal on social media, advocating for long-term, comprehensive development plans agreed upon by political parties and civil society. His calls for a State Planning Commission, however, were dismissed by Dr. Jagdeo as redundant, given the existing National Development Strategy (NDS) and other initiatives already in place by the PPP/C government. Jagdeo criticized the AFC for its lack of concrete plans, accusing the party of contributing little beyond abstract suggestions and failing to present any substantial national strategies.

The Vice-President pointed to several areas where the government has already made significant strides. The health sector, for instance, has seen transformative investments with the construction of 12 new hospitals and the training of 3,000 new healthcare professionals. This, he argued, exemplifies the PPP/C’s commitment to long-term planning and development.

In infrastructure, the government has been proactive since 2020, awarding numerous contracts for roads, bridges, and other critical projects. The energy sector, too, is a focal point of the administration’s vision, with the gas-to-energy project poised to bring substantial benefits. This project, a collaboration with ExxonMobil and other partners, involves a 200km pipeline that will channel natural gas to a power plant in Wales, West Bank Demerara, with an expected operational date in early 2025.

In a broader critique, Dr. Jagdeo also took aim at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), accusing them of elevating unverified rumors to policy positions. He cited a recent incident involving allegations about a vehicle storage facility in Swan Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, to illustrate his point. The PNCR had issued multiple press releases based on unsubstantiated claims, which Dr. Jagdeo dismissed as symptomatic of the opposition’s lack of rigorous policy analysis.

Dr. Jagdeo’s critiques reveal a broader frustration with the opposition’s approach to governance and policy-making. He insists that real progress requires concrete plans and consistency, not just rhetorical posturing or reactionary statements based on rumors.

As Guyana moves forward, the challenge for all political actors is to rise above short-termism and engage in meaningful, evidence-based policy-making. The PPP/C’s current initiatives in healthcare, infrastructure, and energy are examples of such forward-thinking strategies. However, for sustainable development, it is crucial that all parties contribute constructively to the national discourse, bringing well-researched and viable plans to the table.

In conclusion, the dialogue between the PPP and the opposition highlights the critical need for robust and consistent policy-making in Guyana. While criticisms and calls for improvement are essential in a healthy democracy, they must be grounded in reality and accompanied by tangible, long-term strategies that address the nation’s needs and challenges. Only through such an approach can Guyana hope to achieve its developmental aspirations and improve the welfare of all its citizens.