Norman Browne’s mental blackout

Dear Editor,
Who is Norman Browne, the self-proclaimed social and political activist? He makes the empty claim that “The PPP has done terrible things to Guyana, and does not intend to stop.” His unsubstantiated list of these “terrible” things sounds not just fictitious, but dumb. I will address just a few.
First, let me visit “cost of living”, and Browne noted that it “is sky high in Guyana”, but that is so in the world at large.
The ‘Next Advisor’ magazine states that the consumer price index, which measures changes in the cost of food, housing, gasoline, utilities, and other goods, rose by 7.9% over the past 12 months, the largest inflation surge in 40 years. Prices were actually up 0.8% in February, according to the report.
Ipsos Group S.A. is a multinational market research and consulting firm with headquarters in Paris, France. In its last survey, it showed that 20,000 people in 30 countries found that at least half also reported increases in the cost of clothing and shoes, housing, healthcare and entertainment. Two-fifths of respondents expected prices to continue rising for at least the next three months. And right now, based on the oil fluctuations, experts are predicting that inflation would stay around for a while.
Let me add that we are still in the period of shortages of raw materials and finished products, caused by the economic woes after lockdowns were universal.
Browne must do some research, if only to follow the news. Had he done so, he would have found out that “Around the world, seven out of 10 people in the Ipsos survey said they had experienced rising prices for vehicle fuel, car payments, maintenance, parking and public transport, as well as groceries, meals and restaurants.”
Secondly, and I hope my two debunking points would put to rest the likes of Browne, is that the infantile ‘cusser’ stated that “There is no question that the PPP is, and has always been, an uncaring Government that put the population through hell.”
Again, I see here nothing to back his wild accusation. I remind all that after the post-2020 March 02 elections, Guyana was a broken state politically and economically. However, instantly after taking office, and re-prioritising and re-programming fiscal measures, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government managed to add $20 billion in relief to the “pockets” of Guyanese, at a time when the nation was faced with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the said recently-concluded protracted electoral process.
How about these for those who want evidence of a good, caring and prudent Government in recent times? the one-off grant of $25,000 to all old-age pensioners; an electricity credit paid to Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on behalf of households consuming not more than 75 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per month; and payout of a one-off grant of $25,000 to all public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities. We need to remember that these inputs were in addition to the COVID-19 relief cash grant that was rolled out when office was assumed by the Government.
I think I have made my point.

Yours truly,
H. Singh