Guyana geared for ‘operation development’ – Minister Ally
GINA, GUYANA, Wednesday, December 7, 2016
On the third day of the 2017 National Budget debates, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally today, said that Guyana is now geared for “operational development” in 2017 due to platforms laid by Budget 2016.
Minister Ally was at the time debunking claims by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Vickram Bharrat that the government is trying to jump start a failing economy with an early budget. “The haste to present, debate and scrutinise a National Budget during this supposedly busy Christmas season is yet another attempt by the coalition government to jump start our dying economy,” Bharrat stated.
According to the Opposition MP, when the now Opposition was in Government there was hope for Guyanese and Guyana’s economy. However, he noted that with Budget 2017, Guyana’s economy will be decapitated with its many taxes.
The Social Cohesion Minister, responding to Bharrat, said that government is cognisant that the right resources and measures need to be in place to provide “a good life for all Guyanese.”
Minister Ally noted that since government took office, efforts have been focused on fixing a broken economy. “Government has indeed so far succeeded in developing, forward outlook. As a matter of fact, for the 18 months we have made tremendous strides and recorded achievements,” Minister Ally explained.
Some of the achievements, Minister Ally pointed to, include the establishment of the public procurement commission, the holding of local Government Elections, and the establishment of three towns; Mabaruma, Lethem and Bartica, and two radio stations; Lethem and Mabaruma.
The Minister pointed out that, “we have improved road and general infrastructure works in many parts of Guyana, we have planted micro projects to sustain the livelihood of our indigenous brothers and sisters. Not exhausting that long list of achievements worthy of mention is the establishment of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, a new Ministry.”
According to Minister Ally, with such ground breaking achievements accomplished in 2016, it is a clear indication of the government’s commitment towards propelling Guyana’s economy.
The Minister said that despite efforts by Opposition MPs to deprive the Guyanese people of a life they deserve, the Government is determined to provide” a good life for all Guyanese.”
By: Isaiah Braithwaite