The PNCR is calling on government to convene a meeting of all major stakeholders to agree on a team of competent and qualified experts who would then analyse the economic crisis and make recommendations for the well-being of the country in face of the global financial crisis.
According to the PNCR in a press statement yesterday, this “team could consist of recognised local and regional economists who understand the intricacies and complexities of the national and international economy.”
In the party’s view, there is still time to pursue this course of action, but further delay might limit the range of action which could be taken. The party in its assessment of the 2009 National Budget noted that there is no relief for workers in terms of increased salaries and wages nor a reduction of what it termed “the unconscionable” 16% Value Added Tax (VAT).
It pointed out also that there is no relief for the business community which most likely will have to shed jobs as the global financial and economic crisis hits home. And the particular needs, concerns and urgent requirements of the private sector have been ignored, the PNCR charged, because the administration “simply could not be bothered to systematically analyse the needs of this supposed engine of growth for the national economy.”
No consultation
According to the major parliamentary opposition, what must be most significant for the key stakeholder groups is the absolute lack of consultation prior to the construction of the Budget. The party further contended that this makes a farce of the 2009 Budget theme “Working Together – Reinforcing Resilience.”
The trades unions were not consulted nor was the private sector consulted as far as the PNCR was aware.
But the political parties definitely were not consulted, the party maintained, and it was not surprising, therefore, that “the Budget comes across as a partisan political document reflecting only the interests of the Jagdeo Administration and not an economic blueprint to take this country forward.”
Ever since the global financial crisis revealed itself, the PNCR said, the government has behaved like the proverbial deer caught in the headlamps of an oncoming vehicle, condemning itself to immobility. However, the party stated that it has consistently pointed out that the evident inaction of the government is an unsatisfactory and unacceptable state of affairs, and action must be taken now since the economic and social future of the country is at stake.
Single parents
According to the PNCR single parents across the country were expecting a good resolution to the problems surrounding the Single Parent Fund, but they were cruelly deceived by the administration. “Most Guyanese harboured the thought that the Single Parent Fund was intended to help single parents, particularly females, to cope with the rising cost of living as was stated,” the party said. It was anticipated that the identified $100M allocated to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security would have been used to make the Single Parent Fund a reality, the party added. However, what has been proposed in the 2009 Budget Speech is “a programme to assist unemployed single parents, mainly women, in terms of training and similar inducements, to encourage them into the world of work and the amount stated is $33M, the PNCR observed.
Calling the plan a hoax, the party recalled that in his address to the Guyanese people on January 1st, 2008, President Jagdeo had made the following promise: “This year, a special fund will be created to help single-parent households.” However, the PNCR bemoaned “the promises of the Jagdeo Administration and its alleged concern for the poor and vulnerable of our society.” The PNCR summed up its view of the National Budget for 2009, which was presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday in the National Assembly, as “unimaginative, uninspiring and lacking in reality.” The PNCR in slamming the 2009 Budget, declared that it does not offer any direction regarding a better future but signals further hardships for Guyanese at the very period when they are bearing the burdens of excessive taxation. Moreover, the party asserted that the Budget represents yet another squandered opportunity to seek consensus by consultation with all of the key stakeholders of the country so that there could be some common agreement as to how Guyana could tackle its many economic problems and take the urgently needed path into a future of real growth and development.
