There was a motion by the Opposition to discuss the rising cost of living, but the Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir withdrew the motion. The motion was first presented in January, was resubmitted in February, was approved in April, withdrawn, then was approved once more, and expected to be presented and debated on July 21st, but it was not because the Speaker changed his mind. The fact that this motion was first presented in January and in July it was said that it would not be discussed demonstrates that the wellbeing of the Guyanese people is not a priority while the egos of men cloud their judgement and the puppeteers do not care about our suffering.
Where should cost of living relief be discussed if not in parliament? Should it be discussed on social media? Should it be discussed at the rum shops where Guyanese meet to drink and forget their problems? Should it be discussed in the markets? Should we expect that we all will be given invitations to saunter into the residence of those in the seats of power like Su Zhi Rong did when he took the people from Vice News into Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s home?
The response to this motion reveals much about how the suffering of the Guyanese people is regarded. 5 billion dollars was set aside in the budget 2022 for relief measures. There have been cash grants distributed to various sections of the population and over the last two years VAT has been removed from light and water, there has been increase in old age pension and public assistance and school grants for public and private school. But despite some of the measures we have seen, life for the average Guyanese has not improved and the people are crying about the cost of living.
According to the Bank of Guyana, the cost of living is expected to double by the end of the year. This is distressing and alarming. This is a burden the average Guyanese cannot bear. Already, people are struggling to pay for food and other necessities, but I suppose the cash grants that have already been distributed to those who were fortunate to receive should suffice whether the cost-of-living doubles, triples, or quadruples. And for those who never received anything, thoughts, and prayers should suffice, I guess.
A few months ago, it was announced that 50 acres of Guyana farmlands were to be allocated to Barbadian youth for the purpose of Agriculture. In a report published in this newspaper on May 29, it said, “President Irfaan Ali has said he and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley are convinced that once they can show the results of their food security partnership, it can be replicated all across the regions to create a win-win scenario.”
Many Guyanese were appalled that farmlands are being offered to youth in Barbados while there are many Guyanese youth who are unemployed and have not been offered anything. But this follows the trend of foreigners being given the best in land and all Guyana has to offer, while the average Guyanese gets little to nothing. Nevertheless, time will tell if the dream of the food security partnership between Guyana and Barbados will be realized.
So, while we are discussing the Speaker’s decision to not have cost of living relief discussed in parliament, I thought it pertinent to look at what other Caricom territories are doing for their people. And seeing that Guyana and Barbados have a cordial, cozy relationship, so much so that 50 acres of farmlands have been allocated to their youth, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight what Barbados is doing for cost-of-living relief.
In a July 14 report from Barbados Nation, headlined “PM announces 17.5m package to ease cost of living,” Prime Minister Mia Mottley was quoted as saying:
“The Ministry of Finance will also offer relief for our householders’ electricity bills by ensuring that we reduce the Value Added Tax from 17.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent for the electricity charged up to the first 250 kilowatt hours of everyone’s residential electricity bill.”
She added: “The Ministry of Finance, through the Customs & Excise Department, will expand a list of essential food items… on which no VAT will be charged and a few on which no duties will be charged. We have concluded a compact… that will be signed on Saturday morning with the private sector that will lead to the reduction of prices on 45 key items for a period of six months from July 21 this year to Jannuary 31, 2023.”
The article continued:
“Mottley said supermarkets, wholesaler distributors, and farmers have also agreed to hold strain to help ease the rise of prices in the island.”
The article continued to list other relief methods. What Prime Minister Mia Mottley demonstrates is “Because We Care” in practice and not just in theory like our “One Guyana.”
But in Guyana, the motion to address the rising cost-of-living was not allowed to be presented and debated in parliament. Could it be because it was a motion tabled by the opposition? Are we assured of impartiality judging some of the Speaker’s actions?
While cost of living relief cannot be discussed in parliament and the people are waiting to hear of announcements such as Mia Mottley’s, last week Guyanese were lining up to purchase sugar after it was said that there was a shortage. The CEO of the unprofitable GuySuCo, Mr. Sasenarine Singh, said, however, that there was not a shortage of bagged sugar, but that there was a shortage of packaged sugar. Just this week Albion sugar workers protested, calling on the government to examine the management of GuySuCo.
Nevertheless, Guyanese lined up to purchase sugar and some said that the sugar they purchased was from Belize. Billions of dollars continue to be pumped into GuySuCo. As a creative I wish monies were pumped into the creative industry as it is pumped into GuySuCo. At least we the creatives will provide stress relief, our work will boost tourism and we will no doubt create a profitable industry. I can dream.
Some Guyanese saw what happened when thousands of Sri Lankan protesters invaded the president’s residence earlier this month. It has been months of protests and calls for the president to resign over Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
This month Surinamese also took to the streets to protest the government’s policies.
There were some Guyanese who felt emboldened to state that we should rise like the people of Suriname and Sri Lanka. But I say, when and where? Who and how? Most protests are poorly attended because people are afraid. In a nation of largely docile people, who would rather keep their revolution to social media or remain silent, who is leading thousands to take the streets?
The motion to present and debate cost of living relief was withdrawn and we have accepted it. Just like we accept most of the atrocities and injustices that occur in this country. Maybe one day we will wake up when we finally realise what “One Guyana” truly means.
