Dear Editor,
It is of no surprise that the Ali administration has requested all Guyanese to tighten their belts and reduce expenditures. This is the same administration that was partying with dignitaries while our hard working teachers/nation builders were on strike for better wages. It took one of those dignitaries to point out how poor and uncaring the optics of the situation looked. Was that an act of a caring administration? This is the same administration whose spokesperson (Jagdeo) would refer to fellow Guyanese as stupid. Is that the act of a respectful administration? This is the same administration that falsely promised a holiday cash grant to get votes while mocking the recipients as though they were children who had to behave to get what is rightfully theirs. Is that the act of a trustworthy administration?
All of this took place while record budgets were unilaterally approved which has resulted in the overheating of the economy that is now fueling a cost-of-living crisis. Government expenditure has skyrocketed! Asset accumulation by public officials has reached record levels, and the President has the audacity to tell the public to reduce their spending. Not only is it insulting to place the blame for the cost-of-living increase on the shoulders of fellow Guyanese, but it is also a slap in the face for businesses trying hard to make ends meet. The President’s time would be better spent organizing a long overdue referendum on the renegotiation of the oil contract, which was supposed to occur after the general elections but to no surprise it has not. Just as the promise made while the PPP/C was out of office to renegotiate the Exxon contract has not occurred. The Ali administration has lost the trust of the electorate with their broken promises and lack of accountability.
Irfaan should also focus his efforts on eliminating the corruption that has led to government overspending and an increase in the cost of living. But this administration has shown time and time again that it is incapable of cleaning its own house. Will this change? The mishandling of Ministers who should have already been put out to pasture tells a clear lesson of what to expect.
The president must set the example for the nation by doing what he has asked others to do. Irfaan must reduce government spending, cut the budget, increase the savings in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) and renegotiate a royalty increase with Exxon similar to the level negotiated by Suriname at a minimum. This will enable all Guyanese to benefit from an increase in the amount and frequency of the cash grant. Thus, putting more disposable income into the pockets of every citizen and reversing the cost-of-living crisis that is making life harder for every Guyanese. Set the example with your administration Mr. President and things will start to change for the better.
Best regards,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
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