“Illegal Govt” will have dire consequences on investment – PPP/C

In light of the constitutional crisis that Guyana was thrown into with an “illegal Government”, foreign investors have already begun to scrap projects that would have provided jobs and much-needed revenues.

This was according to former economic adviser to the PPP, Peter Ramsaroop, who told reporters on Friday that Guyana has already suffered a major economic decline over the past four and a half years and with the reluctance of President David Granger in announcing an election date, the situation can worsen.
“I have spoken to two British companies this (Friday) morning and they were in the process of getting to some funding from the British Government to fund a few projects, they now have to back off because the British Government will not sign any new agreement with an illegal Government. And that is what is going to impact our nation. Granger’s madness needs to stop. We the people are going to suffer and continue to suffer and it is time for him to call elections and demit office as soon as possible.”
He stated that Guyana’s economy became stagnated shortly after the APNU/AFC Government took office in 2015, with at least 20,000 persons fired, and having no means of sustaining their livelihoods but that with the present political uncertainty in the country, more negative effects are expected.
“You have the international community starting to put their sanctions against him (Granger), the statements by the Americans, British and European Union are very powerful, and what it entails is that they can’t engage with the Government anymore, they have said that they have to now stop all their investors coming in. No one can sign a contract; if you are representing the American Government in the business or the British Government, their advice to those companies is that you cannot sign any contract with the current Guyana Government.”
According to Ramsaroop, with the recent release from the diplomatic community, it will have an economic impact on Guyana.
“…and for a man like David Granger, an uncaring man that can look into people’s eyes and allow this economic decline to continue and get worse. We have not even gotten to oil money, could oil money come into Guyana if he continues to stay in that seat, in an unconstitutional environment? So we have got to continue to push, the business community is very upset…. the longer he (Granger) waits for a date for elections impacts the businesses which ultimately impacts our people.”
He reminded that since the APNU/AFC Government took office, several new taxes were introduced, and this immediately became burdensome on the populace but noted that coupled with the lack of foreign investment, Guyanese would have a difficult time in progressing.
“This decision or indecision by him to postpone elections so long and hide behind the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will continue to have an impact on us…we are calling on Mr Granger to call elections and demit office.”
On Thursday the United States of America’s Ambassador to Guyana, H E Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, H E Greg Quinn and the European Union Ambassador to Guyana, H E Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó issued a joint statement on the GECOM proposed elections timeframe.
“The United States, United Kingdom and the European Union thank the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for devising a proposed elections timeframe for conducting General and Regional Elections. However, we deeply regret that, by surpassing September 18, the Government is currently in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders. This situation comes at great cost to the people of Guyana.”
According to the release, the prevailing political uncertainty undermines Guyanese institutions, compromises economic opportunities and delays development across all areas including infrastructure, education, health, and social services.
“It also hinders our ability to support Guyana’s development needs. We therefore call upon the President to set an elections date immediately in full compliance with Guyana’s Constitution,” the statement added.