War against poverty… Govt. would not deprive the rich to help the poor – Granger

By Abena Rockcliffe, June 12, 2015 | By KNews | Filed Under News, Source

Before he became President, David Granger spoke much about his intention to reduce poverty in Guyana. In fact, on the campaign trail, he told citizens that he and his team would wage a war against poverty once voted into office.

On Wednesday last, Granger, as President, renewed his commitment to reducing poverty in Guyana and, in a wave of ambition, he even said that his government will seek to completely eliminate poverty in Guyana.

The President said this as he addressed the Eleventh Parliament about an hour after it was convened.

Granger assured the many Guyanese who were listening to his address that his government, in its quest to eliminate poverty in Guyana, will not deprive the rich in order to help the poor.

He said that all Guyanese, both rich and poor, stand to benefit if poverty is eradicated.

“We shall involve all classes in the fight against poverty.”

Further, Granger noted that his government’s Poverty Reduction Plan will adopt a ‘One Nation’ approach, reducing inequalities, removing obstacles to education, opening opportunities to the disadvantaged and uniting coastland and hinterland.

He said that his government will introduce social policies that will harness and develop the creative energies of the Guyanese people as well as support the holistic development of our women and youth.

Granger said that his Government is aware that too many “very young and very old persons are still classified as ‘extremely poor’ with an expenditure level that is below what is required to purchase a minimum, daily, low-cost diet.

Poverty can be reduced and, perhaps, eventually eradicated with good governance and the sensible public policies that we shall introduce.”

He was keen to note, however, that the fight against poverty cannot be won through charitable handouts.  “Neither will trickledown economics be the panacea for pauperization and privation.”

In this regard, the Head of State said that providing jobs for Guyanese — particularly our young people — will be one of his government’s main priorities.

He pointed out that Guyana is experiencing a crisis of youth unemployment.  Granger said, as a fact, that many young people are leaving secondary school and university but are unable to find jobs.  He pointed out that, without jobs, young people cannot escape from the cycle of poverty.

President Granger told the House and the nation that his government will introduce measures to establish young people’s economic independence and to improve their livelihood by promoting micro-enterprise development.

“Our policy will be geared to finding ways to increase wealth to give people a good life,” said Granger.

President Granger addressing

the 11th Parliament