ANOTHER BUDGET FOR ALL
By Robert Persaud
Guyana Chronicle
April 4, 2004
THE 2004 National Budget has been presented. That it comes on the eve of the third anniversary of the third term of the PPP/Civic administration is significant. The Budget reinforces the administration's commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese.
The Budget in 2004 represents continuity of policies, programmes and projects of the administration, which started in 1992. This continuity does not in any way suggest sterile thinking or lack of new approaches to emerging challenges' and changes in the local and international environment. The continuity relates to the dual and equal emphasis on social development and economic growth.
Details have been provided about the specific allocation to the various sectors and programmes. The Budget at a glance (a summary) and the entire Budget speech is available on-line at: www.gina.org.gy. Anyone can arrive at his/her own conclusions and not be unduly influenced by any partisan view or warped perspective. Notably, after several days since its presentation, there has not been any profound criticism by the opposition or any notable economists. This is not to suggest that the Budget is a perfect, full-proof document. As observed by the Minister of Finance, no Budget pleases everyone at the same time. The 2004 Budget is no different. From all indications, it is the best in the given circumstances - locally and internationally.
Is it inaccurate to conclude that the Budget has something for everyone? No. Every region, town and village has been catered for in the Budget. All groups and strata of society can claim something directly or indirectly. Those who will most benefit are the less fortunate; those who require help the most. The dedication of large sums on poverty reduction and job creation projects testify to a compassionate and people-centred approach to development, which the Budget reflects.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, upon his election as President of Guyana, gave the undertaking to bettering the lives of all Guyanese. Budgets under his stewardship of the economy and now the entire country have removed burdens from the backs of Guyanese inherited from the pre-1992 period of misrule. This has been so obvious and welcomed that an opposition columnist, in one of the dailies, confessed that one of the features of President Jagdeo's budgets is that it brings no hardships on the people of Guyana.
While there has been and will be no fanfare about the third anniversary of this term of the PPP/C, the people of Guyana can reasonably conclude that another package of 'goodies' in the Budget is by itself a celebration of the PPP/C’s management of the economy and the country as a whole. Speak to representatives of the various international agencies, recognised entrepreneurs and experienced public servants, they would confirm the adroit stewardship of the country in the context of difficult circumstances.
This, the third year of this term (or commonly referred to as the midterm) would see consolidation and acceleration of a number of programmes and initiatives. Major investment has been planned for physical infrastructure: roads, bridges, social services facilities and hinterland development. The ten administrative regions will have the task of pushing ahead with local development and working with central government to further improve the well-being of communities.
The Government has demonstrated the will to push ahead with its plans and projects in spite of consistent efforts to frustrate these. On the heels of the Budget presentation, a series of community outreach meetings are being held involving government ministers and officials across the country. Simultaneously, public consultations on the progress report on the poverty reduction strategy in Berbice, Linden, Essequibo and Georgetown. Implementation it seems is underway. Not a moment to waste as Parliament finalises its appropriate function in the coming days.
Already, communities are interested in what's in the Budget for them. Some residents have been calling on local officials to commence work with the current outreach. Work will certainly pick up soon as the third month comes to an end.
Coming back to the third year of this term of the PPP/C government, much has been achieved and much more will be attained benefiting all the people and sectors of Guyana. The Budget presents yet another opportunity for the coming together of all people and their leaders to work for the betterment of our country in an environment of peace, security and dialogue. The opposition should support the implementation of the plans for 2004. It is regrettable that the main opposition party opted to stay out during the presentation, although it must be noted that there were no attempts to disrupt the presentation of the Budget or violate the standing order of the National Assembly. One anticipates that the entire nation and the government can benefit from the PNCR perspectives and even criticisms in a healthy, spirited and constructive debate on the Budget, which commences on April 13.
All in all, the Budget 2004 has something for all. A hallmark of the Government: governing for all Guyanese.