Dear Editor,
People are looking in vain, expecting to find something that would inspire confidence and renew hope in the 2017 APNU/AFC Budget.
Even as the economy continues along its downward path, even as violent crimes continue to rise, we are yet to see the proactive measures to arrest this downturn and point us in the direction of the good life that was obviously intended only for a few. This 2017 Budget will inflict more hardship on the Guyanese people. To those that have much, more is being added. For those that have little, even that little shall be taken from them by the Government, by way of taxes, by of the criminals and by way of increased violent crimes. I ask the Government: what about plans to create wealth and jobs and for fair and equitable sharing of this additional wealth and jobs if indeed they materialise?
What about the hundreds of young professionals whose only crime was supporting the PPP? They were victims of political and ethnic discrimination. Young people are still waiting. They were enthused by your encouragement that they continue to attend the tertiary institutions which the PPP/C Government had provided them and that they study diligently and qualify themselves for the many jobs you promised them. Well many of them have since qualified themselves; more recently from the University of Guyana. What about jobs for them? During 2017 you have plans to stimulate the economy through major infrastructural works. How would you ensure that the procurement procedures are followed and contracts for the supply of goods and services will not, by your own design, find their way in the hands of a particular set of Guyanese? How do you plan to ensure that companies based on insider information available to the Government will not be formed specifically with the intent of bidding for contracts for specific projects?
I am particularly concerned about the young professionals. They too want jobs and money in their pockets. They too want to experience the good life. The 2017 Budget does not specifically and in any depth address their concerns.
If your 2016 performance is anything to go by: dismal economic performance, poor agriculture returns; tell me on which of your 2017 Budget measures do I premise any renewed expectation or revived hope of a better life during 2017? The Budget does not encourage or facilitate the creation of investment opportunities in the private sector.
The Government boasts of the largest Budget ever for Guyana. But a budget size means nothing unless the projects to be funded by that budget and the concomitant benefits are of such significance and create such economic impact by reaching and benefitting a significant number of the Guyanese people across our country. Can Budget 2017 guarantee that or even move us in that direction?
The Government has criticised the PPP/C’s budgets. Have you ever examined our budgets carefully? The PPP/C’s budgets aimed at promoting growth and reducing poverty; at closing the development gap between the rich and the poor, between the hinterland and the urban/rural communities of our country. PPP/C Budgets were not merely a reflection of the views and wishes of a few selfish politicians with their own selfish political agenda. Are you proud of the 0 per month addition to our pensioners? So while you reduce VAT by 2 per cent, you place it on utilities, via water and electricity. How does this help property owners and businesses? Will it not result in increased prices of some goods as a result of increased electricity and water costs?
I ask of you readers; having perused the 2017 Budget, do you see yourselves being better off by the end of 2017 as a result of the measures the Government plans to take to improve living standards during 2017? Do you see the measures set out in the 2017 Budget stimulating growth and moving you in the direction of the good life? The Government’s focus on increasing revenue through mainly taxation is ultimately at the price of increased hardship for the people. Budget 2017 could have at its best been presented under the theme: “Abuse of public trust, confidence and State resources, the way to the good life.”
Sincerely,
Norman Whittaker
Former Local Govt Minister
