In speaking to this budget I wish to state that the 2010 Budget presentation offers not much different from those before it. Last year I summed up the sentiment of hundreds of thousands by saying there was “nothing to smile about”. Today, those numbers have grown, and their despair is just as real and palpable. The cry in 2010 is not just from the “Gully-Side” or the Gaza, but also from the womb as given voice to by Tenicia DeFreitas in her celebrated song “Moma I don’t want to be born.” Her social commentary tells of a baby not wanting to be born into the stifling economic and socio-political conditions that this Republic offers on its 40th birth Anniversary.
This year, particularly in your absence, there was a cacophony of continuous noise and confusion that almost ended in a brawl. Unfortunately, there were some low and disappointing moments and these have managed to obscure the bright spots that appeared every so often. Not wanting to repeat them, I do wish to say however that some statements were made that are deserving of an apology and to apologise takes courage and shows maturity. Now, after a week we are left to wonder whether our time has been well spent and whether we are in fact truly serving the people through this exercise. Following what was described as a late night brawl, One person, writing in the newspaper columns, referred to us as “lawless”. We should all be ashamed. I do not seek to judge nor have I the right to judge. That right is reserved for a higher being.
The predicament we are in is not unique to Guyana. There is, as we speak, an ongoing debate in the United States right now about the utility of its Congress of Representatives, and their system of governance. Some Senators and Congressmen are choosing to withdraw from active politics because of its very partisan nature that competitive politics is becoming in their view, destructive and far removed from what the people expect.
Tomorrow marks 40 years of Guyana as a Republic and it is pellucid that this milepost is placed at a juncture. A Republic, by definition, is a state in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives. If we are to be true to ourselves we will have to concede, and admit, that in Guyana, we have not realized the ideal Guyana state that was the vision which was proclaimed and bequeathed to us by the founding fathers of our nation. In fact Mr. Speaker, so far adrift are we today that we are in some doubt as to how to organise the state and to give fulfillment to that vision. Rather than embrace an ideal of nationalism we have preferred instead to each execute our individual roles, according to our individual interpretations; but have done very little, or nothing collectively, to build an indivisible, secular, democratic and sovereign Republic of Guyana after 40 years. Ultimately, the people have suffered and fled by the thousands to greener pastures.
We have meandered for 40 years and now find ourselves at this juncture; a juncture that beckons a new opportunity for us to act in accordance with the Constitution and to establish and “forge a system of governance that promotes concerted effort and broad-based participation in national decision-making in order to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law; and one that celebrates our cultural and racial diversity and strengthens our unity by eliminating any and every form of discrimination.” I say therefore, let us choose for ourselves this day wither direction goes the Republic of Guyana, its people, and its elected representatives.
For us in the AFC, we choose to take the turn at the intersection and re-commence that journey that was the vision of the founding fathers of this Republic, and we invite all members of this Honourable House, and the constituents they represent, to share this journey with the AFC.
I submit that since the monarchy was replaced by a Republic in 1970; then we should have gone on to change the way in which important decisions are made for the people of Guyana. Not having done so has created a paradox of gargantuan proportions. We put away the regalia in 1970, but retained the systems and structures; thus not completing the full transition that we were meant to undergo. Guyana’s Republic has different features than say Barbados’ or Jamaica’s. We have ethnic, racial, cultural and religious differences and strands that have to be reinforced, and at the same time braided, to give us our unique People’s Republic. We cannot maintain this Republic if we continue to practice our combative, competitive, and confrontational style of governance. It is time to change and time for a new Republic.
Mr. Speaker, as predictably and inevitably as ever, we parade our troops and colours each year in what is becoming a pantomime. You advance, and we attack. We do this because we believe that this is the way that the other parliaments and assemblies do it, and because we believe this is the only way that it can be done. We behave the way we were trained to behave. But now, 40 years after absolute independence from a monarchial rule was achieved, I believe we have the ability to discern for ourselves that, this way, is not promoting our harmonious development, but rather, exacerbating the divisions not only between us, but moreso, the people we purport to represent. We are the example they follow. Shouldn’t we then admit publicly, what we have already admitted to ourselves privately, after searching our minds and consciences, that THIS WAY of fighting, denigrating and insulting each other cannot be the right way.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the way we approach the management and decision-making processes of the state. This flaw is accentuated when we come to discuss, debate, and agree on the estimates and financial projections for the fiscal year. It’s a nonsense that we sit here, without prior consultations, and then go through the annual pantomime of attacking and defending what is meant to be in the people’s best interest. This way, Mr. Speaker best suits a monarch who after hearing the debate chooses the best way forward. You Mr. Speaker, with the greatest of respect, after hearing this debate, possess no such jurisdictional or monarchial authority.
Despite the jaundiced minds and memories of most who won’t recognize or remember a word of praise and support even if it is stated, it has become my custom to single out individual ministers and agencies who, and which, I believe are deserving of praise. Last year I recognized the joint ministers of Health by conceding that despite all of the continuing and attendant ills within the health care system that there is still progress being made which has to be recognized.
This year, my Minister of choice may shock most. In the midst of the madness I have found a Minister who is prepared to accept that mistakes are made, and to learn from them, it is Minister Rohee. It is strange that last year was the worst year in the performance of the security forces an annus horribilis as the royals would say- A horrible year. That notwithstanding, I have come to recognize a quality in the man that shows a preparedness to improve and to embrace new ideas and Mr. Speaker, despite all that may be said, a light hidden under a bushel needs to be uncovered.
The Hon. Minister of Finance carries the honorific Honourable. I believe he is deserving of this honorific and I know therefore that he will accept my comments not as slings and arrows, but as fair comment and criticism that are meant to inspire him to be different and to rise to the challenge from today onwards, by breaking with the old, archaic, useless, and decaying mould, by simply reaching out to some members of the Opposition before the Budget is laid and simply sharing the whole, or extracts of the whole document with us. Close your eyes my Honourable brother and imagine how meaningful a debate would be in this house if you dared to be different. I say this to you not in anger or indignation, but in an act of brotherhood, friendship and support. If this budget fails Mr. Speaker, we all fail and so as I have stated in the past, there is nothing preventing a Minister from reaching consensus not through debate, but through discussion.
In the historical context of our politics, we have been designed and programmed to propose and oppose. We do not have to accept everything that was given to us because this is the “way”. There are other ways and other worlds waiting to be explored and conquered if we dared to be brave and to be different.
Today therefore I will break with tradition and speak to this budget not in opposition to it per se, but rather to make suggestions for its strengthening and hope that by doing so, I would not only have indeterminably altered the status quo, but as well, I would have contributed to a demonstration of what is possible. My suggestions, and those made by my colleagues of the Opposition, are unlikely to be taken on board, but I have no doubt that they will be considered.
As always, the Opposition has been accused of not recognizing one iota of progress and development ushered in by this administration. Though difficult to see, there are signs yes that we cannot gainsay. Undoubtedly, every ministry and every department has done some things well and Mr. Speaker to be fair and honest I have to accept this. Remember though that as Shakespeare reminded centuries ago -“The evil that men do lives after them. The good is often interred with their bones”. Little has changed since.
Going unrecognized is an occupational hazard of public service, but together we can agree to change it. Here is how: When you have recognized publicly your fiduciary duty to be objective, fair and honest, and in so doing accept that there are humongous problems of corruption, criminality and mismanagement, it would have a transformative effect and leave us with little or nothing to say or do but to support you. We recognize our duty, but do you recognize yours?
The Book of Proverbs tells us that “where there is no vision, a nation perishes”. Regrettably, Honourable Minister of Finance, in your presentation, we do not see that coherent, holistic and comprehensive vision and strategy that weave the various strands together so that each individual worker will know what is expected of him/her and so too the student who graduated from UG will know where he/she is headed and their role and relative importance in national development. When the Hon. Mr. Norman Whittaker proudly proclaimed the number of registered students in Region 1, my mind immediately asked-how many will graduate, how many are guaranteed a job of their choice and how many will remain to develop their Region and country? This is the vision that a budget should propagate. Why are we just educating them rather than lifting to higher heights as sons and daughters of this Republic? It has to be more than giving an education for educating sake. It ought to be about them being trained to be a part of that grand nationalistic scheme of things to take their relative and respective places at the giant wheel that turns the machinery of nation-building.
Admittedly, the adumbration of this vision is not the responsibility of the Minister of Finance and so I have to recognize that. His job is to present a budget that shows income and expenditure for the year. The vision has to come from higher up; and perhaps if more time was spent in Guyana it would be discernable, and understood and supported by all. Rather, on a daily basis we are bounced between various policies ostensibly promoting growing more food, gearing up for El Nino, LCDS, the Skeldon Sugar Factory, destroying drug houses in depressed communities, hydro power, and all aided by Iran, China, U.K, Venezuela, U.S.,Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago. We are tossed about between pillar and post and going nowhere like this. Show us the vision.
GOVERNANCE & SECURITY
Enhanced Framework for Co-operation
This has got to be one of the greatest disappointments of the 9th Parliament. Promises made were not kept and there is so much we could have accomplished if we had worked together to define our inter-party relations within and outside of the National Assembly.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION
The bill presented in my name remains suspended in abeyance awaiting a signal from the government that it will embrace one of its principal campaign promises.
BROADCAST LEGISLATION
The people must have the right to freedom of choice to listen to and see what they want. Nowhere is this more acute than in Region 10 where the diet is an unnatural one of PPP propaganda. The people are crying out for their freedom on this the 40th anniversary of the Republic.
OMBUDSMAN
The long-term absence of an Ombudsman has retarded the cohesion in our society. In a heterogeneous society such as ours, an Ombudsman serves as an effective mediator between the state and the people where claims of oppression and discrimination are rampant. Alas, we have not had an Ombudsman for nearly a decade and there is little wonder why the wails of anguish have reached new heights.
NATIONAL AWARDS
No self-respecting country can maintain a wholesome and cohesive society without having a system of meritocracy that recognizes the efforts of our good sons and daughters. We have gone without an Investiture Ceremony for seven (7) years! Restore the awards.
RIGHTS & PROCUREMENT COMMISSIONS
Ensure that the constitutionally mandated commissions are established not in name only but in form and substance. Appoint the members and chairs and provide the buildings and the resources.
ACTING CHANCELLOR AND CHIEF JUSTICE
This appeal is to both the President and Leader of the Opposition to end the grid-lock that is crippling the judiciary by having the two senior judicial functionaries acting without security of tenure. Concessions will have to be given and compromises made on both sides. It must be done.
LIFTING THE PROFILE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
We must lift the profile and status of the Assembly and the parliamentarians. If we don’t respect ourselves and each other no one will respect us. Let us make arrangements to raise the profile of our members and the work we do here. How can an MP function on allowances of $250 for entertainment, $100 for Duty, and $20 for telephone service. Each parliamentary party, including the Leader of the Opposition should have an independent office. The building next door provides adequate space and convenience for us all. Each, MP should have internet service, a laptop computer and protocol privileges. Even now during the debate, there should be a Secretariat established to facilitate the work of MPs and their document preparation and printing. The Hon. Member Everall Franklin and I intend to write to the Speaker and all the powers that be about his within the next two weeks.
RE-TOOLING AND TRANSFORMING THE DISCIPLINED FORCES
To say that lawlessness permeates every force in this country is an understatement. The Disciplined Forces must enforce the laws and protect the people of Guyana and not be the enemy of Guyanese. Some of the ranks roaming the streets are becoming monstrous and are preying on helpless and defenceless poor people. Referring particularly, to the GDF, I strongly posit that we need to be convinced that we are not so weakened that the force is now a devouring monster and incapable of defending against external aggression
NATURAL RESOURCES USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Mr. Speaker. This Green land of Guyana is blessed with lush tropical forests, low population density, large tracts of unoccupied land and rich natural resources. In this twenty-first century environmental issues are a major challenge that faces many nations and Guyana is no exception. None of us could have therefore failed to have taken notice of the recent confrontation between the Government and miners and loggers and its implication for Guyana’s LCDS.
Human activity predictably impacts forest areas, and natural resource exploitation such as logging and mining contribute to environmental degradation. The response by a Government to such challenges should not be to encourage a confrontation between miners and loggers, but educating all of the need to support efforts on biodiversity conservation, maintain ecological integrity, and initiate measures to reduce the loss or negative impact on the environmental services provided by the forests.
This administration seems bereft, despite its Low Carbon Development Strategy, of a basic understanding of environmental issues, and must recognize that policies on environmental protection have human and economic costs and benefits, and the economic dimension is often crucial when determining the policies that ought to be pursued. I therefore urge that we pursue the low carbon path thus ensuring environmental sustainability, but in a manner that ensures sustainable development and guarantees investments in the natural resources sector. Here, The EPA needs to find its voice and feet and move to fulfill its statutory role.
Some pointed and Specific Suggestions:
- Restore the dignity of the Trade Unions in Guyana by immediately replacing the Critchlow Labour College Subvention, intervening to end the “eye pass” in the Guyana Bauxite Company and workers impasse at Aroaima. The ignominy that the Ministry of Labour t has allowed to be heaped on the workers at Aroaima is a national tragedy.
- Adopt of a policy of giving freely, every citizen of Guyana over the age of 18 a plot of land for housing or agriculture-with infrastructure already in place.
- In the Sugar Industry, give the sugar workers the land and make them a partner rather than an employee, move them from being in servitude and bring them into partnership. Mauritius is doing something similar with great success.
- Provide better farm to market roads and water management schemes to assist our rice farmers and other farmers to produce bountifully, and at competitive prices.
- Pursue renewable energy, eco-tourism, agro-industrial processing and information and communications technology (ICT) as the new drivers of our production activities.
- Ensure that we begin producing Ethanol and make it mandatory for a 10% blend by 2013 and 85% by 2025.
- Re-start the Bio-diesel industry by focusing on coconut plantations
- Complete the Lethem to Linden Road and prepare the people for trade and interaction with the South
- Construct a Hydro plant at Tiger Hill in Region 10 to enable a smelter to be built and operated.
- Redouble efforts to support farming in the Hinterland; particularly Region 1.
- 11. Review the policy about re-migrants owning a motor vehicle six (6) months before re-migrating;
- 12. Remove entirely the import duty on motor vehicles, for private use, but restrict the age limits of imports.
- Address the root causes of crime by fixing the social issues affecting youth development, job creation and other social programs. They are the NOW generation
While we fool around up here, there is a cancer, a vile evil, eating away at the body politic and our society from below and within. It comes in many forms. It is the drought conditions that are crippling our farmers, nation-wide; it is the abnormal high incidence of sexual molestation of young girls and women and the abomination of domestic violence and abuse- oftentimes leading to murder; Mr. Speaker, the cancer can also be found in the “Gaza” and “Gully” phenomenon that is dividing our children not along religious or ethnic lines but rather on a lyrical basis and leading them into waves of unprecedented violence against each other and teachers in schools. All these may not be our fault, but it is our responsibility to fix it. Fighting it can no longer be the responsibility of one.
Inclusive Democracy
In the AFC we believe in inclusive and participatory governance. We seek, to be in partnership with like minded groups and individuals both from within the body politic and civil society to fashion a new Republic. This cannot be done by a few false elites who tinker with the problem, but must as of necessity and common-sense, if we are to ensure social –cohesion, involve all of the people and their representatives. Anything short of this would be to deny the vision of the founding fathers of this our Republic.
It cannot be Indians for Indians, Africans for Africans, Amerindians for Amerindians, Portuguese for Portuguese, Chinese for Chinese, and Mixed people for Mixed people. But rather, Africans and Indians for Africans, and Indians, and Amerindians Chinese, Portuguese and mixed inclusively, and alike. It is only when we stop living for ourselves, but for the sake of others, that we will truly experience the re-birthing of this nation. We are a multi layered, multi-ethnic, and multi-partisan society. It necessarily follows that our state, our republic, has to be configured if it is to survive and thrive.
Even now as I utter these words I am becoming cognizant of the effect of what I am saying and better understanding even my own role as a Guyanese and as a leader in our society. We all have to make this change. It is imperative.
Local Democracy
As we prepare for Local Government elections let us ensure that they are elections of which we can all be proud. Holding elections for the sake of holding elections is not sufficient. The true measure of a functioning local democracy is not merely the holding of elections once every 5 or 12 years, but rather the level of involvement and participation by the people and the level of autonomy that is offered and support given by the state.
Conclusion
Over the past week, Colleagues on both sides of the house have extolled the virtues of their individual positions and I have no doubt that all the statements made here have been well meaning. Recently, the discussion on weighted majorities for budget debates was raised outside of the house. The former member who raised it would remember that when the PPP was in opposition, it was proposed but not accepted by his government…today again it is proposed and we wait to see whether there is sufficient courage to find consensus and to ensure that the budget is nationally owned and implemented or remains the closely guarded preserve of the government and thereby in and of itself poisoning the atmosphere that is necessary to ensure its success and national development.
I expect that this budget will be passed by the majority of members of this Honourable House without any amendments or promises to review some of the issues and suggestions raised by the Honourable Opposition. That notwithstanding, and though unfortunate, I look forward to a new dispensation of cordiality and engagement; both within this Chamber and outside of it. I believe that in the time frame of this 9th Parliament of Guyana, it is not too late for us to change direction. I therefore, as a mark of our commitment, pledge on behalf of the executive and members of the AFC that we will re-dedicate our energies towards improving the relations between each other and restoring the proper relationship with the people we are expected to have. From this day onwards we expect the honour and respectability of this National Assembly to be restored and for us, its members, to reflect and personify the dignity that is expected as we get about the people’s business. Let us on this day choose to follow the path, and embrace the vision, of our founding fathers.
In concluding I wish to repeat some of the words of the prayer we use here; with the sincere hope that they will have a different meaning and application henceforth: “Grant us O God, the vision to lead, that all people of this fair land may enter into that state of brotherhood and unity, where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever widening thought and action.”
As Joshua asked of the people of Israel, I now ask rhetorically: choose you well this day whether you continue on the old road, or are committed and brave enough to choose the new road. We are at the 40 mile juncture. There is a decision that has to be made now. Some of us have already decided and we can only invite you, but cannot demand or coerce others. I say: Long live the Republic of Guyana, Love live the people of Guyana. May God Bless us all.
RT
22-2-2010
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