Today’s theme is an important topical discussion in the public’s interest, to ascertain the commitment and seriousness of the Government of the day in developing the country and serving its people, as well as the technical soundness of the Government itself to achieve these targets.
The Government’s first 100 days in office is fast approaching, and its performance is, so far, nothing short of commendable amid the unprecedented and unforeseen challenges prior to contesting the national elections. In order to assess the Government’s first 100 days’ achievement, one has to first assess this from the perspective of the Government’s manifesto for the next five years. In so doing, in reviewing the manifesto, there are seven major areas of focus which capture the Government’s five-year development plan for Guyana, including other areas of improved governance and the delivery of public services as follows:
1. Rescuing the productive sectors
2. Securing the benefits of oil-and-gas for all Guyanese
3. Infrastructure boom: Building for the future
4. Cheaper and more reliable electricity
5. ICT: connecting every Guyanese to the future
6. Utilising resources in a sustainable manner to create jobs and incomes for all
7. Better quality of life for all (this include improved public goods and services, public security, health, and governance).
Under the first thematic area above (rescuing the productive sectors), a menu of measures was included in the manifesto, among which were the removal of VAT and other regressive taxes on key productive capital items, and the reduction of fees – all of which were implemented in the Government’s first “emergency” budget. We can therefore safely say that almost 100% of these measures was already implemented in the first 100 days through the budget. Most notably, the Government is moving aggressively to reopen the sugar estates, which is also a commendable achievement in the first 100 days.
With respect to the second thematic area, “securing the benefits of oil-and-gas for all Guyanese”, a number of actions were taken immediately within the first 100 days to achieve this goal. Among those actions was the formulation of a local content panel which includes, and is led by, private sector leaders. That panel has conducted a series of consultations, including with the private sector of recent. The Government has also negotiated for better terms, as promised, in Exxon’s application for another licence for the Payara development. This is also commendable, and the details were immediately released to the public upon approval. We can safely say 50% of work to realize this goal has commenced.
To achieve cheaper and more reliable electricity, the actual fruition of this goal would be achieved in the long term. Notwithstanding, the Government, within the first 100 days, is moving aggressively to work with Exxon on the gas-to-shore project. In fact, Mr. Winston Brassington has recently been appointed to head this project. Allowing private sector players to sell power to the national grid is another achievement in this regard.
On the Information Communications Technology (ICT) front, within a matter of weeks, the Government was able to fully implement liberalization of the sector, which resulted in almost immediate reduction of rates by telecommunication companies. Though the more profound benefits for consumers would take some time to be realized, this is a good achievement, as the first step in the right direction to facilitate this.
Under the seventh thematic area, tremendous work has commenced in this regard within the first 100 days. This work includes the immediate distribution of land titles to persons to enable access to building their own homes. The work being done by the Ministry of Housing and Water within the first 100 days is commendable.
From assessing the appointments to the various State Boards as well, which include private sector representatives, civil society and opposition political parties, the PSC is pleased to see that Government has fulfilled its promise on inclusive governance. We therefore expect to see more of this in the short to medium and long-term.
If one were to score the Government’s achievements based on what has been done in the above thematic area, the score in percentage form would look like the following:
# Thematic Areas Achievement (%)
1 Rescuing the productive sectors (fully implemented in emergency budget) 100
2 Securing the benefits of oil-and-gas for all Guyanese (the new provisions mandated in the Payara licence, move on local content to be legislated etc.) 25
3 Infrastructure boom: Building for the future 10
4 Cheaper and more reliable electricity 10
5 ICT: connecting every Guyanese to the future 50
6 Utilizing resources in sustainable manner to create jobs and income for all –
7 Better quality of life for all (this includes improved public goods and services, public security, health and Governance). 10
Total out of 700 = 100% the full manifesto 205/700 or 30% overall
Overall, it is safe to score the achievements so far out of a total of 700. For each area above combined, the Government has achieved 205, which is equivalent to 30% of the promises outlined in its five-year manifesto. This level of achievement should not be taken for granted, and at the same time, the Government is urged to maintain this level of consistency as it seeks to continue enhancing the level of performance. To achieve the goals outlined in the manifesto would require the continued cooperation and support of all stakeholders and all Guyanese.
About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is an economic and financial analyst, lecturer and business & financial consultant. The views expressed are exclusively his own and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to [email protected].
