Opposition parties differ on way forwardThe National Assembly was divided yesterday on the way forward for the motion aimed at tackling the food crisis affecting Guyana. Nonetheless, the motion was passed successfully following two days of debate.The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) said that it would not support the bill given that there was no comprehensive relief programme outlined in the motion that the affected consumer could rely on.The Alliance For Change (AFC) supported the motion after successfully managing to include a proposal that would mandate the creation of a select committee to monitor and make recommendations aimed at the fulfilling the ultimate goal of alleviating the impact of the spiralling food prices.The position of the PNCR, however, baffled the Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, in whose name the motion was presented, since the proposal by the PNCR to have the Multi-Stakeholder Forum included in the consultation process was agreed to for inclusion.AFC Leader Raphael Trotman’s position of having the parties collaborate on a way forward was agreed to as integral, and received the support of Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.He said that the notion of collaboration for success was nothing new, noting that the late President Arthur Chung had said during his tenure, “The future of Guyana is based on how we work together.”According to Trotman, his party would not blame the Government for the problem affecting the nation, but he questioned the Government’s response, saying that the list of interventions was a far way off.He commended the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, saying that under her tenure a significant amount has been achieved.“We cannot continue to fight about who did what, when,Cheap Jerseys From China, and in which year….this is not a political party problem,Jerseys NFL China, it is a Guyanese problem, and we all have our role to play.”His counterpart in Parliament, who is also the newest Member of Parliament, Sewnauth Punalall, told the House that it is sad that the country did not heed the warnings of the past, citing that even the constraints highlighted in the Jagdeo Initiative were not new.She also used the opportunity to criticise one of the current interventions,Authentic Jerseys China, namely subsidised supplies being sold from trucks, noting that they were not being sold to people who needed them the most. She also noted the absence of infrastructure in hinterland regions to fully utilize the current ‘Grow More’ campaign.Newly appointed Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai defended the interventions made by Government, saying that the people who need them the most now have a little more to spend.The Government interventions talked about during the course of the debate included the raising of the income tax threshold; the increased allocations for pensioners, including paying their utilities; the Grow More food campaign, and increased funding for special assistance, among others.Sukhai added that the motion calls for partnership in mitigating the impact of the crisis, as was recognised during the recently concluded conference in Rome, Italy.She noted that the issue was of such importance that it threatens the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals.According to Sukhai, the Investment Forum adequately illustrates the country’s commitment to tackling the issue,Cheap Baseball Jerseys, and CARICOM’s commitment to the Jagdeo Initiative demonstrates the region’s commitment.Manickchand, who delivered perhaps the most impressive contribution during yesterday’s debate, said that of late there have been several interventions to mitigate the impact of spiralling food prices, most of which could have been implemented during the PNC’s tenure.She reiterated the increases, both in December and January last, of monies for pensioners, the vulnerable and the general populace as a whole.“Government saw it (spiralling food prices) coming and took pre-emptive measures.”She also delved into some of the hardships people had to face under measures imposed by the PNC in response to the food crises at that time.According to Manickchand, the measures forced people to turn to criminal acts, such as purchasing and selling commodities on the blackmarket, as well as hoarding the commodities in order not to face jail time.“We are developing and repairing damage….Poor people did not arise out of the PPP/C.”She also chastised the party’s claims that there were no consultations,Cheap Jerseys From China, saying that over 100 meetings were held countrywide with the populace to consult and listen to recommendations, at which time the party could have used the opportunity.PNCR Leader Robert Corbin, who was the final speaker before Persaud rebutted, said that the intent of the motion was meaningless and gave no hope that the crisis will be addressed.“The PNCR will not support this motion…there is no comprehensive menu of measures…value of motion is propagandistic….the content of the motion is an insult to the National Assembly.”According to Corbin, the Government has a track record of not fulfilling its commitments.“While there is a rise in commodity prices globally, that was not the only reason for the increase in local prices…reduce the taxes and we will know that you are serious.”He also chastised the motion as well as some of the named interventions, saying that its content were devoid of details.One such intervention was the temporary assistance programme. He noted that no one knows when the period of assistance ends.He also addressed the Grow More campaign, saying that the present Government has adopted all of the late President Forbes Burnham’s slogans. He spoke to the Government’s ignoring of another late PNC leader, Hugh Desmond Hoyte,Adidas Hockey Jerseys Cheap, who said that the villages along the East Coast should be equipped with the relevant infrastructure to allow them to be more productive and not have the youths turn to crime.According to Corbin, for years the party has called for bulldozers and Hymacs to clear the land aback of the East Coast Demerara villages to encourage productivity. “It took a massacre and immediately the equipment was found.”Speaking to constant heckling of what was not done during the PNC’s 28-year reign, Corbin warned: “When you drive a car and look back you will crash.Persaud, rebutting Corbin’s presentation, described it as disappointing to his (Corbin’s) supporters, saying that his reasons for non-support were not new.He also noted that Corbin’s objections to the motion were for him to continue his extra-Parliamentary behaviour.Persaud was speaking about the numerous protest marches and picketing exercises over the same issue of food prices. The motion was successfully passed by the National Assembly.Minister Persaud sought to have the National Assembly support the interventions by the Government to stem the adverse effects of the phenomena, such as the ministerial committee to monitor the situation and make recommendations on action needed to cushion the impact of the spiralling food prices.Among some of the other interventions are the zero rating of some food items as well as assistance to vulnerable groups.
