Dear Editor,
First of all I wish to congratulate the APNU+AFC coalition government for presenting one of the best budgets in the past 23 years; it can be seen as a working class one with a quantum of relief given to all sectors, including a hefty increase in public service wages and salaries, old age pensions and public assistance; and the removal of taxes on a number of consumer goods.
The new $221 billion development budget will succeed at the end of 2015, because of the underlying economic strategies. It will achieve all its objectives of “A fresh start to the good life in a green economy.” The aim of the 2015 budget is to promote and enhance the dignity and welfare of the masses of people by creating conditions in which Guyanese can enjoy useful, happy and productive lives.
The opposition may criticize the budget or claim that it was their projection, but the honest truth is that since Jagan died, all the budgets which have been presented in parliament never saw the light; in fact none was ever fulfilled. Many projects where money was voted for since 2012, never came off the ground. One such project is the Supenaam /Good Hope irrigation project, the planting of 115,000 seedlings from Anna Regina to Devonshire Castle, and the expansion of drainage and irrigation systems in Region Two.
Monies which were budgeted were either diverted into other areas or squandered. Money which the coalition government used to bail out rice farmers and sugar workers since it took office, could have been used to advance these industries creating more wealth under humane conditions, and the just and equitable distribution of that wealth.
Where was the development plan that they had for the indigenous communities in support of agriculture, aquaculture and beekeeping which was touted in the 2012 budget and which was intended to help 241 farmers living in different communities?
The budget has already addressed promises outlined in the APNU+AFC first 100-day plan. At the end of 2015, I am quite sure that the government will fulfil all the requirements. The budget is not an abstract theory or philosophy. At this end, it seeks to ensure that all citizens can enjoy as of right the basic necessities for a modern civilized existence, namely, food, clothing, housing, education, health care and cultural pursuits. But more than this, the budget seeks to ensure the constant improvement in the standard of living and quality of life for all.
Budget 2015 provides an amount of 12 billion to be transferred by government to help GuySuCo meet the financing requirements in the face of the reality of inheriting a wrecked sugar industry from PPP government; this support is expected to redound to the benefit of the industry’s 18,000 workers and their families, who could have been on the breadline. Altogether, more than 120,000 persons could have been without a job. As I travel across the country meeting with people and hearing their views on the 2015 budget, many were in high praise for the coalition government in presenting such a glorious masterpiece which will transform the economy.
This budget, they told me will benefit the working poor and help to alleviate poverty, creating jobs, reducing the debt burden, runaway inflation, the credit squeeze, etc. It has placed government programmes and policies on the tripod of growth with equity, social justice and ecological preservation for all. The performances and forecasts in the economic and financial spheres up to August 2015 have been positive by this government, mainly because of prudent management.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan