Dear Editor,
Since taking office in August 2020, the PPP/C is of the belief that hampers and paltry cash grants will suffice and bring long lasting relief to Guyanese. Editor, this is far from the truth! Let us examine the cash grant of $25,000.00 per household. The reality is that this cannot give you a basket of goods, reasoning being plantain now stands at $300.00 per pound, tomatoes $800.00 per pound, bora $500.00 (three parcels), eschallot $1200.00 per pound, celery $1500.00 per pound, cheese $1200.00 per pound, butter $700.00 per tub, eggs $1500.00 per tray. Editor, I have not made mention of bread, tennis roll, chicken, beef, pork etc. These items are also carrying hefty prices. I can only imagine how ordinary Guyanese cut corners to survive, while a few persons continue to live a comfortable and happy life on the backs of the poor and vulnerable groups in our nation.
Today, the PPP/C regime has failed Guyanese in ensuring that the high cost of living becomes a priority for them. Rather, their interest is to push infrastructural projects here and mesmerize Guyanese with hotels to be constructed here and there. The question we must ask is can Guyanese eat roads, bridges and hotels in an economy where inflation is on the horizon and the cost of basic food items, grown right here in Guyana continues to escalate?
High cost of living is affecting all Guyanese. This is not an APNU+AFC Coalition problem or PPP/C problem, we are all consumed. A motion to debate the high cost of living was submitted to the Clerk’s office on January 14, 2022. After a review by the Speaker, I was asked to amend a few clauses contained in the motion. This was subsequently done and resubmitted in February 2022.
After the February 2022 budget debates, the motion was approved by the Speaker and placed on Notice Paper No. 170, and eventually made its way on to the Order Paper for debate on April 13, 2022. It was disheartening to have received an email on the eve of the sitting of the National Assembly (April 12, 2022), informing me that the debate would not be proceeded with and Notice Paper 170 had been withdrawn, since it contravened Standing Order 25 (1) (a) (iii) and (b).
With much enthusiasm to have this issue debated, since it is one of national interest, I again amended the last And BE it RESOLVED Clause, which contravened SO (25). The motion was resubmitted in this manner (“That the Government of Guyana makes provision for EACH Guyanese above the age of eighteen (18) years, to be assisted with the high cost of living in Guyana.”) and thereafter I received a letter from the Clerk’s office advising me that the motion was approved by the Speaker and would be placed on the Notice Paper, which I eventually received in June 2022.
The Order Paper was received by members of Parliament on Thursday July 14, 2022 informing that the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly will be on Thursday July 21, 2022 at 10hrs and it will be “Private Members‘ Day.” Editor, the motion was scheduled for debate on July 21, 2022.
The very shenanigans that played out on Wednesday April 12, 2022, did not escape the sitting of July 21, 2022. An email followed by a hard copy letter were received by me at 16:42hrs from the Clerk’s office and shared with Members of Parliament on Wednesday July 20, 2022 advising that the motion would not be proceeded with on Thursday July 21, 2022 and that Notice Paper no. 178 has been withdrawn, since the motion contravenes the “Standing Orders.” Editor, the letter failed to identify and highlight which section of the Standing Orders the motion had contravened, but went on to say that, (his) “Honour (referring to the Speaker) that he (the Clerk) draws my attention to Article 171(2) of the Constitution.” This article deals with bills which cannot be introduced as they could impose a charge on the Consolidated Fund etc. This is a non-issue in relation to my motion.
Editor, in the penultimate paragraph of the Clerk’s missive to me, he stated, “the Speaker has asked me to inform you that he erred in allowing the motion to be published.” This, I found mind-boggling! How is it that the Speaker discovered seven days after the preparation and publishing of the Order Paper, his error less than 24 hours before the actual sitting on Thursday July 21, 2022? Therefore, Editor, for the Speaker to disallow the motion, because of a non-issue, his actions are unfair and unkind, not only to my colleagues and I, who were prepared for the debate, but to the people of Guyana, who we represent and who are affected at this time.
Editor, the Speaker of the National Assembly is one who should always exercise impartiality, but this is clearly out of his vocabulary. The atmosphere of the twelfth Parliament under the Speakership of Mr. Manzoor Nadir, MP is one of bias against the APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition Members.
The Speaker should be reminded that the purpose of the National Assembly is for bills, motions, petitions and issues affecting our people to be debated, laws enacted and the successful passage of resolutions. An issue such as the high cost of living should be a matter of concern for the Government and Opposition to address and common ground agreed to.
Editor, I can assure the people of Guyana that the APNU+AFC Coalition will continue to call on the Government of Guyana to devise ways, whether short term, medium term, or long term, to bring relief during these difficult challenges, due to the increased in cost of living.
Yours in service,
Annette Ferguson, MP
APNU+AFC Shadow Minister – Housing and
Water sectors
