PPP’s management of the economy has crossed the line

Dear Editor,

Philip Bynoe’s conduct at the recent press conference held at the Guyana Forestry Commission deserves public condemnation. It should be explained to him that his conduct is the type Guyana could do without as we strive to transform our political landscape into one dominated by dialogue and civilized conflict resolution.

A few readers of my last letter (SN, Aug 18) may be surprised at the manner in which I summarily dispensed with the Finance Minister’s half year economic report for 2014. My analyses of Guyana’s economic performance and its management have been captured in my letters to the press dating back to September of last year.

To summarize them all, the PPP’s management of Guyana’s economy has crossed the line where the rule of law is the guiding principle. Its decision-making is guided by the principle of the preservation of its authority. To say otherwise is to lend credibility to government’s activities, to mislead the public.

It is to say it is okay for the government to waste and misappropriate our money and natural resources through mismanaging the issuance of government contracts, lack of transparency in approving investments across economic sectors, and abusing its economic might to stifle the free press.

In fact, the highlighting of all aspects of corruption, mismanagement, and abuses of government authority is the soundest method of addressing deficiencies in economic management.

And in this, by my own biased estimate, I have been unfailing, and will continue to be so.

I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the actions of the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and his ministry, which have facilitated the illegal expenditure of roughly $4.5 billion of our money. Guyanese have sacrificed a lot to pay our taxes, and through the opposition, we disapproved of this spending in the first place. I would like to go on record as saying that I want my money back. The Minister can be released from his duties if the consensus so rules, but I want my money back.

Yours faithfully,

Craig Sylvester