We asked some politicians about what their expectations, hopes and wishes were for 2013. Their responses follow.
Opposition Leader David Granger
Leader of the Opposition David Granger said that his resolution for 2013 would be for efforts to be made to ensure that there is better education for the young people of Guyana and as a result of this, better opportunities for them.
Granger who has already drafted his New Year’s address said that he hopes there is a resolution to pay greater attention to the employment of youths. He stated that the young people of this country have been ignored with regard to their contribution to national development.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Attorney General Anil Nandlall expressed the hope that 2013 would be a year of great significance given that there are several national projects which stand to be advanced during the year. He called them transformational projects, listing them as the Marriott, the Amaila Falls Hydroproject, and the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan airport. “I hope that in 2013 we can advance these projects to a reasonable state of fruition,” he said.
In terms of sector performance, he said he continues to wish for increased output in the gold industry as well as bauxite and rice, and he expressed the wish that the difficulties in the sugar industry would be overcome.
On the political front, he wishes that there could be more constructive engagement between government and opposition that goes beyond “settling political scores” and “advancing agendas that are petty and vindictive and that we can embrace the concept that we have a higher duty to the people of this country.” He also wished that the country would continue to grow its economy and mature as a society.
APNU Vice-Chairman Rupert Roopnaraine
Vice Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said, “My expectation for 2013 is that we have local government elections.” He said that he expects that after the parties had had talks on the budget that the 2013 National Budget would be accorded smooth consideration in the National Assembly.
“My wish is that a government of national unity be placed on the national agenda and that we could have this government of national unity,” he said.
AFC MP Cathy Hughes
Alliance for Change Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes said that her wish for 2013 is that no woman loses her life because of domestic violence and that it is recognised as a national crisis. Further, she said that she hopes there is greater cooperation and compromise among the political parties in the National Assembly and that there is the recognition that every party, as well as Guyanese, have a contribution to make. “We also wish for more accountability,” she concluded.
APNU MP Carl Greenidge
APNU Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge said he expects that in 2013 the difficulties over the powers of the presidency and its dominance of the activities of the National Assembly will continue and become more chronic. He said that on the economic front, there are some issues which will begin to emerge such as the social crisis in terms of destitution on the streets and problems related to garbage-connected health issues in both urban and rural areas.
He said that one of his wishes for the New Year is that policies would be put in place to give people hope. He called the situation in Guyana at present the greatest challenge the country has faced since the 1920s. He expressed the hope that given the continued opposition pressure in Parliament the government would eventually come to its senses and give young people opportunities, and that his party could be a part of the effort to craft policies that would give hope to the people of Guyana.
