PNCR-1G call for countrywide shutdown irresponsible and reckless – PPP says

The PPP has labelled the call by the PNCR-1G for a countrywide shutdown in protest over the two recent controversial bills laid in Parliament and the Value Added Tax (VAT) “irresponsible and reckless”.

In a statement the PPP said the opposition’s calls put into question the regular claim by the PNCR-1G that it was interested in Guyana’s development and stability.

The PPP contended, “in the first place the opposition in Parliament supported the introduction of the Value Added Tax since the early 1990s”and “the PNCR-1G was fully involved in the work of the select committee since mid 2005 when the bill was being finalized.”

The party said the PNCR-1G supported the measures at the time of the passing of the bill.

The PPP accused the PNCR-1G of unprincipled and blatant opportunism and for “turning full circle and criticizing VAT instead of getting involved to assist the revenue authority in smoothing out teething problems which are being experienced by the new tax system.”

Regarding the Gambling Prevention (Amendment) Bill, the PPP statement said that matter had been fully ventilated in the media for a long time and the government had met several groups, religious and otherwise, and had discussed the issue before.

“On January 11, 2007 a motion related to the bill was discussed and debated for hours in the National Assembly … all the views on this issue were fully ventilated,” the PPP contended.

“For the PNCR-1G to make the claim that consultations have not taken place or that various opinions [were] not freely ventilated is an act of deception.”

The PPP said the PNCR-1G’s call also showed that that its views on consultation seemed to be that all its views must be accepted.

“Clearly the issue is more complex … It’s not just a question of morality but also of economic and social development,” the PPP have said.

In defending its position, the PPP also acknowledged that it was the right and responsibility of the Government to determine policy after discussion, debate and consultation and noted that this had occurred in full measure.

The recent Health Facility Bill is the other piece of legislation the PNCR-1G said should be protested, and the PPP noted that it was sent to a special select committee even as the opposition was making accusations.

The main opposition issued the call at its weekly press briefing last week adding that it was only through united action that the people could protect and preserve their rights in the face of arrogance and contempt from the administration.’

The PNCR-1G cited the “uncaring” implementation of VAT, the “mad rush” to pass the Casino Gambling legislation as well as the introduction of a “communist-styled” health bill as examples of what it deemed hypocrisy of the promised inclusive governance.

The PNCR has added in its statement, that public opinions, parliamentary debates and constructive suggestions have failed to produce any result so far. It noted too that despite statements by the PPP/C administration, the promised consultations on the issue with key stakeholders like the religious community have not been held.

Additionally, the main opposition sees the new health bill as a crude attempt to insert political control over the sector and not to improve the health services in the country.