The Alliance for Change (AFC) has identified the reduction of the Value-added Tax (VAT), the raising of the income tax threshold and the review of all major government projects over the past two years among priority issues for action by the parties entering the Tenth Parliament.
The party compiled its lists of priorities which it submitted yesterday to the government and opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) as part of an agreement made duringa tripartite meeting last week. The AFC was the last of the three parties to exchange its list. The lists were supposed to be submitted on Monday.
AFC Leader Raphael Trotman described the lists as an initial one which would test the resolve of the parties. He said that it would determine whether the political will exists for the deliberations of the parties to go deeper.
Regarding the economy, the party would like to reduce the VAT to 12 % from 16%; increase salaries of public servants inclusive of nurses, teachers, and disciplined services and sugar workers by 20%; increase the PAYE threshold to $50,000 and to reduce the Berbice River Bridge rates by 50%; grant duty free fuel concessions to rice farmers and to the fishing industry and reduce taxes and duty on brand new motor vehicles and cut corporate taxes (non-commercial) to 25%. The party would also like to repair a military aircraft to provide lift for national security purposes and to support hinterland development in Region 8 and other hinterland regions as well as to review the Low Carbon Development Strategy to remove conditions that are excessively adverse to small miners and loggers and complete the demarcation of Indigenous lands. The party is also interested in a review of all major projects within the past two years such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, Vaitarna, the Marriot, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri expansion by the Economic Services Sector Committee of the Parliament. The party also wants to increase old age pension; review and reduce the President’s pension package and to provide of housing units for suitable citizens.
Concerning constitutional matters, the party will like to see the appointment of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Ombudsman, members of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. Additionally, the party will also like to commence an inquiry into the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) and to identify the processes for its overhaul.
The party is also interested in pursuing the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission within four months of the convening of Parliament.
The Commission has never been set up as the government and the opposition have had disagreements about its composition. The AFC said that it will also review and complete local government reform. Local Government elections have not been held since 1994.
Additionally, the party would like to see the Access to Information Act amended and the establishment of a Truth, Reconciliation and Justice Commission. Parliamentary Reform in line with the recommendations of the Sir Michael Davies’ report has been identified as another priority by the party.
The AFC said too that it would like to renegotiate the British Government support to enhance the security sector. Guyana had previously turned its back on this support and said it would implement the proposed amendments on its own. Further, the AFC is in favour of the establishment of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in the country.
The reorganization of the National Communications Network (NCN) has been identified as another priority by the AFC.
The party would like to see the state-owned television and radio stations operate similarly to how the BBC is run within an independent framework. The party said it would like to see more balanced newscasts and more time allotted for Opposition views on the airwaves. Further, the party identified the issuance and extensions of radio and television licences to qualified applicants as another issue of concern.
Meanwhile, speaking on APNU’s list of priorities yesterday, Vice-chairman Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the coalition has circulated its list to the other parties and it is expected that all three lists be narrowed down and further examined by a selected group of persons from the parties. Pressed for details of APNU’s priorities, Roopnaraine said he would rather not disclose, since he wanted to give the committee examining the lists a fair chance at arriving at a conclusion. However, he said the list consists of issues the partnership campaigned on prior to the elections.
