Dear Editor,
I wish not to reiterate the activities that have ensued thus far that have led Guyana to its current political impasse. Moreover, I commend the Guardians of Democracy, who, on a 24/7 basis ensure that our ballots are not tampered with.
Notwithstanding, Guyana faces an arguably bigger threat – the COVID-19 pandemic, and an expedited recount process is needed to safeguard the nation from this disease. The incumbent Government has followed the other nations of the world and has instituted a lockdown with the aim of flattening the curve. I agree with this decision, as it comes at the behest of the world’s best and brightest scientists.
Tragically, Guyana has not been able to follow the nations of the world in providing a stimulus/relief plan for the country’s citizenry and businesses. With no budget in place for 2020, section 36 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) stipulates that the Finance Minister shall spend moneys from the Consolidated Fund “sufficient to fund the ongoing delivery of normal services of Government”…this spending is subject to “one-twelfth of the amount that was expended by that budget agency in the immediately preceding fiscal year”. This statute essentially guarantees payment of salaries for all employees in the public sector. This news may be good for some, but public servants account for just 23% of the labour force according to 2017 Guyana Labour Force Survey.
As such, 77% of the working population is susceptible to loss in wages, caused by the lockdown. Many of these persons have already begun to voice their concerns – a Stabroek News Article titled “Non-essential Regent St businesses say cannot afford to remain closed” dated April 23rd, 2020 details many of these cries. In the aforementioned article, one gentleman succinctly describes his situation; Andrew Ferguson says that he is currently struggling for the basic necessity of groceries because he is without work due to the lockdown. Ferguson further noted that “prior to the lockdown, measures should have already been in place including subsidising of bills and/or stipends or food hampers for families.”
I agree wholeheartedly with Ferguson but measures could only have been implemented after a new Government was sworn in. For reference let’s once again examine Section 36 of the FMAA, which goes on to state that spending from the Consolidated Fund without an approved budget, could not be done for a “subject matter or for a purpose for which there was no appropriation in the immediately preceding fiscal year”.
While we cannot go back in time, and change the past, we can certainly act in the present to affect the future. We have received aid to the tune of 100M GYD from the United States and the citizenry is grateful. However, let me just remind the readers that upon completion of the electoral process, from the National Resources Fund (oil revenue) alone, there will be access to over 11 billion GYD to help Guyanese in this critical juncture. I therefore call on GECOM to open their ears to the cries of the people, not just the cries for preservation of democracy, but the calls for help.
Yours faithfully,
John Edghill