By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has disregarded all assertions which seek to infer that their performance in the National Assembly over the past year has hindered rather than propelled development.
According to Leader of the Opposition David Granger, their actions in the House were consistent with what they were elected to do.
But this is certainly not the view of the Government and leading members of the private sector. The combined opposition in 2013 was accused of being unreasonably and wantonly opposing key developmental projects.
This claim was reversed by Granger who said that his party prevented what could have been a Government disaster if some of the projects, which lacked transparency and the competence to have them realized were implemented.
He said the opposition took some hard decisions all of which was vindicated in the end.
“We have done well, we held ministers accountable, demanded explanations and due diligence, ministers now know that they must speak the truth,” Granger told reporters at a press conference on Friday, January 10.
Just under two days ago, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon pondered on what the real growth of the country could have been, if the opposition were less hostile. Guyana recorded a growth of almost five percent in 2013.
The Opposition was criticized for reducing the National Budget for the second year in succession. They were also chastised for their objection to the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the Specialty Hospital, Marriott Hotel, CheddiJagan International Airport expansion and most recently exploration activities in the New River area.
The private sector also criticized the opposition and in some cases the government for failing to meet consensus and compromise (political rivalry) on issues of national importance.
In a recent interview, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling said that political rivalry was the biggest setback for the country economically in 2013.
President of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ronald Webster had also accused the opposition of hurting investors’ confidence with the scrutiny investment; especially foreign investment is subjected to and possible rejection in the end.
