Time to return to serious business PDF Print E-mail
Written by
Tuesday, 03 January 2012 02:08
The festive season has concluded and it is time to return to the serious business of nation building through patriotism and dedication to our respective jobs.
Everyone has a role to play in the developmental process. No one is alienated from that process, but unfortunately many people in our country still have that erroneous position, or perception, that development is the exclusive business of the government. This is an attitude we need to change or else it could hinder the current laudable rate of national development.
This year will bring new challenges, particularly in the political sphere, as it is the first time we are having a minority government in our post independence era. And early in this year, this new political dispensation will be put under test to see if it is a viable one as Guyanese anxiously await the outcome on two critical national issues - the election of a Speaker of the House and the passage of the national budget.
The outcome of these two issues could be a major factor in determining if we would move forward with our national development agenda.
With respect to the election of a Speaker, it seems as if the opposition parties cannot arrive at a consensus candidate as both parties are insisting on their respective candidates occupying the seat.
This could lead to an interesting situation and could even result in the ruling party’s candidate getting the nod. But we will have to wait and see in which direction the situation goes.
On the national budget, the opposition has not given any indication on what course they would take but should they use their majority in Parliament to block its passage then we could have a grim situation which may force the government to call fresh elections.
If this happens, it would be most unfortunate because it means a huge amount of financial resources would have to be expended to run another election bearing in mind that we also have to hold local government elections.
This year is a crucial one for this country’s socio-economic advancement as several projects are in the pipeline which could see our biggest developmental take off and, therefore, we cannot afford any damper like snap-elections to hinder our continued advancement.
Our largest project, the Amaila Falls hydro project, should begin this year and drilling for oil should also commence this year. If oil is found in commercial and feasible quantities then it could trigger a quantum leap in our economy, and from all reports, it looks very optimistic.
Our economy is already on a solid footing and the successful realisation of the two above projects would create a boom in our economy. President Donald Ramotar, in his New Year’s message to the nation, alluded to the healthy state of our economy: “Guyana’s economy has once again registered positive growth. This is the sixth successive year that we have seen our country’s economy growing. We accomplished this in a very complicated and difficult international climate.
“As you are aware, our main trading partners in Europe and North America are experiencing serious financial and economic problems. The difficulties have impacted heavily on our region, with many countries facing serious economic problems. In spite of this adverse international environment, Guyana has done well. This is testimony to the resilience of our economy, which has been progressively fortified over the past two decades by the prudent economic policies pursued by successive PPP/C administrations. All Guyana should be proud of the health of our economy, and the impressive strides our country has made. The sustained economic growth has ensured continued improvements in the social services in our country.”
However, there are several irritants which are hampering our developmental agenda and these include ‘red tape’, corruption and the crime rate. The President has already vowed to root out corruption. This is a most encouraging and refreshing assurance. In this regard, the re-establishment of a properly staffed and adequately equipped Office of the Ombudsman should be a priority.
With respect to crime, the government should re-visit the issue of foreign assistance to the Guyana Police Force which is experiencing a difficult time in crime fighting.
The issue of ‘red tape’ has been a lingering one and is actually fertile ground for the growth of corruption and, therefore, swift efforts should be made to wipe it out.
As such, it is time to return to serious business, working diligently and together in moving this country forward in the best interest of us all.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
Written by
Tuesday, 03 January 2012 02:08
The festive season has concluded and it is time to return to the serious business of nation building through patriotism and dedication to our respective jobs.
Everyone has a role to play in the developmental process. No one is alienated from that process, but unfortunately many people in our country still have that erroneous position, or perception, that development is the exclusive business of the government. This is an attitude we need to change or else it could hinder the current laudable rate of national development.
This year will bring new challenges, particularly in the political sphere, as it is the first time we are having a minority government in our post independence era. And early in this year, this new political dispensation will be put under test to see if it is a viable one as Guyanese anxiously await the outcome on two critical national issues - the election of a Speaker of the House and the passage of the national budget.
The outcome of these two issues could be a major factor in determining if we would move forward with our national development agenda.
With respect to the election of a Speaker, it seems as if the opposition parties cannot arrive at a consensus candidate as both parties are insisting on their respective candidates occupying the seat.
This could lead to an interesting situation and could even result in the ruling party’s candidate getting the nod. But we will have to wait and see in which direction the situation goes.
On the national budget, the opposition has not given any indication on what course they would take but should they use their majority in Parliament to block its passage then we could have a grim situation which may force the government to call fresh elections.
If this happens, it would be most unfortunate because it means a huge amount of financial resources would have to be expended to run another election bearing in mind that we also have to hold local government elections.
This year is a crucial one for this country’s socio-economic advancement as several projects are in the pipeline which could see our biggest developmental take off and, therefore, we cannot afford any damper like snap-elections to hinder our continued advancement.
Our largest project, the Amaila Falls hydro project, should begin this year and drilling for oil should also commence this year. If oil is found in commercial and feasible quantities then it could trigger a quantum leap in our economy, and from all reports, it looks very optimistic.
Our economy is already on a solid footing and the successful realisation of the two above projects would create a boom in our economy. President Donald Ramotar, in his New Year’s message to the nation, alluded to the healthy state of our economy: “Guyana’s economy has once again registered positive growth. This is the sixth successive year that we have seen our country’s economy growing. We accomplished this in a very complicated and difficult international climate.
“As you are aware, our main trading partners in Europe and North America are experiencing serious financial and economic problems. The difficulties have impacted heavily on our region, with many countries facing serious economic problems. In spite of this adverse international environment, Guyana has done well. This is testimony to the resilience of our economy, which has been progressively fortified over the past two decades by the prudent economic policies pursued by successive PPP/C administrations. All Guyana should be proud of the health of our economy, and the impressive strides our country has made. The sustained economic growth has ensured continued improvements in the social services in our country.”
However, there are several irritants which are hampering our developmental agenda and these include ‘red tape’, corruption and the crime rate. The President has already vowed to root out corruption. This is a most encouraging and refreshing assurance. In this regard, the re-establishment of a properly staffed and adequately equipped Office of the Ombudsman should be a priority.
With respect to crime, the government should re-visit the issue of foreign assistance to the Guyana Police Force which is experiencing a difficult time in crime fighting.
The issue of ‘red tape’ has been a lingering one and is actually fertile ground for the growth of corruption and, therefore, swift efforts should be made to wipe it out.
As such, it is time to return to serious business, working diligently and together in moving this country forward in the best interest of us all.
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle