As 100 days since the government took office nears, Minister of State Joseph Harmon says he would give the coalition government a grade A for its efforts in implementing its 21-point action plan.
“I would give the coalition government an A Grade on the matter…we don’t share out grades easily. A is it,” Harmon told reporters during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday.
While he did not say how many of the 21 promises had been fulfilled, he said early next week Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will be updating the media on the progress made.
“Of course, we have our own report on the progress we are making with our 100-day plan… I think that time period comes to an end on the 24th and on the 25th the Prime Minister will update the media on the matter,” he said. Further, he said the proposed undertakings in the plan were considered last Saturday during a Cabinet retreat, which had to be held for one day instead of the originally planned two days owing to other pressing matters which had to be attended to.
“I can say to you, based on our own checklist, we are extremely comfortable with the work we have done and the accomplishments that we have made under that plan,” he added. Harmon said before the end of the month Cabinet will resume the retreat to deal with some other matters which are on the agenda.
Government has come in for heavy criticism for what is being seen as its failure to fully implement a number of the commitments that were announced, including reneging on the promised reduction of the 16% Value-Added Tax. Other promises included “significant” salary increases for government workers and significant increases in old age pensions. While increases are proposed in the current budget, critics say they fall short of what was promised.
The parliamentary opposition has used every available opportunity to speak on this issue.
A few of the promises, which were also published in the coalition’s elections manifesto, will depend on the passage of the budget, which is still being considered by the National Assembly.
The reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll, one of the promises, will take effect from September 1st, which falls outside of the 100 days. However, taxpayers will be carrying the burden of the reduction since a subsidy is to be paid to the bridge company.
