Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones yesterday flayed the government on the question of good governance, noting that it had failed to consult with the Opposition in key decision-making.
Speaking during the 2023 Budget debate, Jones said there is no working relationship between the Opposition and the government. The absence of such a relationship, Jones said, prevents the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic from achieving good governance, which they preach about.
“Comrade Speaker, there cannot be good governance unless there is a productive relationship between the Opposition and the government.” He pointed out that engagement with the Opposition is in the best interest of the country and paves the way for promoting stability at a time when it is needed.
Jones stressed that the government’s failure to consult with the main Opposition during budget preparations and other matters of national significance, signals a lack of interest in what they, the Opposition, have to say. Jones noted that consultation with the Opposition is even more important now, given the investments the country is attracting as a result of the oil and gas sector and the ongoing infrastructural development. Additionally, Jones called out the government for the lack of transparency and non-communication with the citizenry. He highlighted that no press conferences have been held by the Cabinet Secretary to inform Guyanese on key decisions by Cabinet.
“Comrade Speaker, effective governance can only be obtained with an informed citizenry. This is hardly the case with the PPP government,” Jones said.
“Comrade Speaker, good governance is difficult for the PPP for the following reasons; it is still, by its own constitution, a Marxist/Leninist party. Years of democratic centralism have bred bad habits: the PPP always seeks to control all institutions in the society… the PPP is protective of its own constituents to the detriment of [the] society as a whole, it cannot engage in policies which are designed to help all sectors of the Guyana society,” Jones stressed.
It is in this vein the Opposition Chief Whip said he could not support the budget measures for 2023 as achieving, “Improving Lives Today; Building Prosperity for Tomorrow” which is the theme of this year’s budget. Jones then quoted a line from Bob Marley’s War inferring that the budget’s theme, “will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained.”
