–coalition had introduced over 350 new taxes, measures that targetted the pockets of ordinary citizens, Dr. Jagdeo says

SUBSTANTIAL evidence and a simple assessment of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s track record would reveal that citizens endured one of the most financially burdensome periods in the country’s history from 2015 to 2020, with the implementation of over 350 new taxes and measures that targetted their pockets.
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo pointed to this during a press conference at Freedom House, on Thursday.
His comments were a direct response to the opposition’s — PNCR/APNU and AFC— attempts to undermine the efforts of the PPP/C administration by distorting the reality of which party has done the most to improve the lives of all Guyanese.
Dr. Jagdeo, in setting the record straight, referenced the period 2015-2020 when exuberant taxes and measures were put in place by APNU+AFC; this also negatively impacted several sectors, including local manufacturing and agriculture, which had taken severe hits.
“When we actually counted, it came up to over 350 measures… things that were increased, there was vat on healthcare that was not there before, vat on education that was not there before, vat on water that was not there before, vat on electricity that was not there before, vat on data, vat on internal travel, freight on the interior… I can go down a long list,” he added, noting that the opposition is still trying to defend the indefensible.
“Every week, we have the task of coming back to press conferences like the one I’m having here, or in the public domain and repeating what we said before,” he said.
Dr. Jagdeo further pointed out that it was the PPP/C administration that reversed the taxes.
A comprehensive examination of the 2020 to 2024 budgets unequivocally demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the economic well-being of all Guyanese, with over $200 billion returned to the pockets of citizens through a series of targeted and impactful measures.
Since being elected to office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has been resolute in its mission to alleviate financial burdens and improve the standard of living for the populace.
This commitment is reflected in the extensive range of fiscal policies and relief measures meticulously outlined and executed across successive budgets. Each budget cycle has been strategically designed to address the immediate needs of citizens while laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and stability.
This is unlike the APNU+AFC which not only created financial burdens and failed to deliver on its promises, but also, according to Dr. Jagdeo, blatantly disregarded the laws of Guyana.
“After making all the lofty promises that they did, after claiming that they were not corrupt, and they were clean and they had all the plans to change Guyana, we now realise that period was a period when in which we had the most corruption in our entire history,” the General Secretary had said.
During the coalition’s tenure in government, Dr. Jagdeo pointed out that the administration had bypassed the procurement process, giving contracts to companies that were aligned to their party.
The General Secretary further noted that the critics and sections of the local media have failed to acknowledge the blatant malpractices, pointing to the suspension of the country’s procurement process.
“That was the situation then… If you look today, in spite of all the talk about procurement problems under the PPP, it is transparently done; people bid for projects, they may not be happy with the process but they have a means that is in the act to protest,” Dr. Jagdeo had said.