Georgetown: Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo demonstrated his lack of faith in the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to succeed in governing the nation, expressing great optimism that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will victoriously return to Government following the next General and Regional Elections.
“We will be back on the campaign trail soon. We are coming back for power because we know that you are going to fail. We know that with this sort of budget, you cannot succeed; you will flat-line the economy,” Jagdeo’s words echoed throughout the Parliamentary Chambers on Friday as he delivered his budget debate speech ahead of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.
Jagdeo briefly reflected on the series of events surrounding the May 11 Elections, expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome but nonetheless committed his Party to work with the Government for the betterment of the country.
However, he sternly noted that the PPP/C will not sit back and allow the Government to push them over.
“We are watching the members on the other side carefully… I will never, and the people on this side will never allow the members on the Government side to make us victims. We are never going to allow you to take away from us, rights that would have been earned through sweat and blood in this country,” Jagdeo posited.
He made reference to the lawless and ruthless behaviour of the People’s National Congress Reform component of the APNU/AFC party following a lost the General and Regional Elections in the past, and exemplified the unmistakable contrast with the PPP/C, noting that his Party surely demonstrated a fresh approach to maturity.
“We filed our petition and we will fight them,” he stated.
Jagdeo committed the PPP/C to defend the interest of all Guyanese, be it sugar workers or bauxite workers; he said the Party will represent everyone.
He promised too, that the PPP/C, now that they are the Opposition, will not oppose for opposition’s sake – like the APNU/AFC was guilty of doing.
“If an initiative is good, we will support it. If it brings benefit to our people, we will support it. But we are going to hold you accountable,” Jagdeo warned.
Further, Jagdeo frankly stated that Budget 2015 cannot benefit the country or its economy.
“This budget cannot move the Private Sector forward, it does not change the circumstances as in the country and it will never deliver the good life that the minister spoke about,” he stated flatly.
On that note, he pleaded with the Government to keep its promises to the Guyanese people particularly, the Amerindian people.
Additionally, he underscored the importance of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, urging the government to keep the initiative alive.
Jagdeo stated that the monies received would have gone towards development projects that can help Guyana. These include projects that can transform some 100 village economies, computerising villages in the interior and the establishment of a diversity centre of international studies which can generate a new type of export to create jobs.
He also urged the Government to stay committed to the Information and Communication Technology projects, that is, the laying of the fibre optic cables which will support the E-governance initiative which would allow internet connect for all government networks. Also, this project was aiming to make available free public wifi.
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