The Government has condemned the Opposition’s non-support for the Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill as well as the accompanying Motion which is aimed at raising the guarantee limit of loans, from $1B to $150B (US $750M).
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at a press conference subsequent to the sitting of the House last night assured that this will not be the end of Government’s efforts at making hydropower a reality in Guyana.
He lamented the Opposition’s blatant refusal to come to a compromise on a project that will derive tremendous benefits to all Guyanese and catapult the country’s development.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh who referred to the Opposition’s actions as a “travesty against the people of Guyana”.
He noted that this project has brought Guyana closer than it has ever been before to the realisation of the long-standing dream of hydropower
He reminded that the injury inflicted to the project by the withholding of support does not hurt the PPP/C supporters alone; but rather it will have dire consequences on every single Guyanese citizen.
“We are asking the international community to support a project that the Parliament of Guyana, controlled by the AFC and APNU, is not willing to support,” the Finance Minister said.
He noted too, that this project has won the support of a large section of stakeholders, the private sector and international investors; however the Parliament of Guyana, controlled by a slender majority fail to see its merit.
Meanwhile, Government’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira explained that the Opposition’s move to change the order of the day’s agenda was a calculated one aimed at stymieing the discussions on the matters relating to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
“This is an act of sabotage against our country and our people,” the Government’s Chief Whip said.
Government is concerned that the Opposition’s refusal to support the Amaila project will send a negative signal to the international investment community and will take Guyana backwards.
