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… Parties praise Govt’s “inclusiveness” in Budget 2021 engagement

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that Government plans and programs reflect the priorities of the people.
The Head of State gave this assurance during a meeting at State House with representatives of Guyana’s small political parties. Its members were invited to discuss the preparations for the 2021 Budget.
“You are all stakeholders in this process. And as we embarked on the 2021 Budget, I thought it was necessary that we at least have a working lunch and explore some of your thoughts, some of what you consider to be priorities, so that we can have a discussion, so that we can consult, so that we can reach a program where all of Guyana feels like they are part of it, ”said President Ali.
Attending the engagement were representatives from A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Citizenship Initiative (TCI), New Movement (TNM), United Republican Party (URP) and Change Guyana.
Several members of his Cabinet joined the Head of State, including a Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai.
President Ali highlighted the importance of the “shared ownership” of the development trajectory, which will not only lead to greater prosperity and prospects but will pave the way for the opportunity to unite the people of Guyana.
“And that’s the biggest project we have on my mind … We can build a country that is strong, prosperous and economically viable. That takes critical thinking, that takes vision, that takes clarity, that takes action, but coming together and unifying requires a little more. “
The President emphasized the need to break down “selfish barriers” and to embrace new ways of thinking and behaviors to achieve this goal.
He connected that the Government’s approach going forward will be innovative engagement, initiated by the 2021 Budget negotiations.
President Ali reminded politicians that his Government had reached out to former President David Granger to discuss inclusivity.
“We’ve been reaching out and trying our best … I invited former President Granger to a meeting he didn’t attend and then we have one Opposition component that is peddling the agenda that the Government illegal so we have to do it to deal with things in context … that narrative needs to be corrected. ”
In his remarks, Dr Ashni Singh stressed the importance of engagement in completing the 2021 Budget.
“In order to ensure that we outline that vision in the most comprehensive way possible and to ensure that we identify the most essential interventions needed now and needed to lay the foundations going forward, we want to ensure you get the widest possible cross-section of scenes. You are important stakeholders and we would like to hear from you. “The Minister further asked attendees to share their visions of Guyana’s future and highlight the critical needs of the country.
Dr Singh also used the opportunity to express to those present an appreciation and sense of “debt” for their role in ensuring that Guyana remains a democratic country. He also noted that the victory was one that must be kept going forward.
In the meantime, Minister Teixeira expressed her appreciation to the delegates present for recognizing the President’s invitation. He noted that the engagement was an integral part of the country to move forward inclusively.
“For me and my sector – governance – this is a very important meeting in terms of inclusion, participation and being able to sit down and think about what is in the best interests of our country and our people. And so, this forum, I think, offers that opportunity, especially around the budget of 2021. I’m sure, knowing the President, this won’t be the only such forum we will was created for dialogue discussions with various civil society bodies, political parties. ”
In the meantime, following the comments of the Head of State and Ministers present, Dr Vishnu Bandhu of the URP said the negotiations provided the platform for all parties to co-operate, to move the country forward and to come with the people of Guyana together.
Dr Abedin Kindi Ali of Change Guyana added, “I’m here on behalf of our party to get involved and give some input on the 2021 budget … we look forward to a meaningful discussion.”
Aruna Budhram of New and United Guyana said, “I am very encouraged that this will is outreach … I understand there is a duty and an obligation and because of that I am very happy that we have a voice and that we can take on part in this process. ”
ANUG member Kian Jabour expressed his appreciation for being involved in the process and to the Government for reaching out.
Joining the party representative in Parliament, Lenox Shuman, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the Government on aspects of the 2021 Budget.
Finally, Asha Kissoon of The New Movement related to “I must say that the efforts we have seen so far to start the economy have been fruitful … we are looking forward to the discussions today, we have some inputs and we are happy that we were able to voice our concerns. ”
Along with a budget discussion, the small parties were briefed on the development in Venezuela.
