President and Government score high in opinion poll
DEAR EDITOR,
The latest opinion poll conducted in Guyana reveals a very high approval rating for President Irfaan Ali and his government and low confidence in the performance of the political opposition in holding the government to account. The survey finds that APNU + AFC is falling in popularity mainly due to its actions. The current affairs survey was conducted by this writer shortly after the budget was submitted in February until the end of March.
The poll, conducted for NACTA, had a sample size of 600 respondents reflecting population demographics.
Based on the survey findings, 65 percent of the nation approve of government performance with 26 percent disapproving and nine percent not offering a response.
The population has expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction at the political behavior of the APNU + AFC opposition with a minority expressing confidence in it as an alternative government in waiting. Only 29 per cent said they approved of opposition performance with 58 per cent disapproving and 13 per cent not offering a response. This contrasts sharply with the confidence people have in President Irfaan’s job performance with a 69 percent approval rating and a 24 percent disapproval rating with seven percent not offering a response.
The public also expresses strong approval for the government’s handling of the economy as well as the COVID lock-in policies although they are not very proud of how the government has dealt with crime and security. Inflation and job creation are also major challenges for government. The working class complains about a frozen wage and difficulties in making ends meet. Expectations are very high for increases in wages and other COVID grant among the lower working class.
Ministers with the highest score include: Anil Nandlall, Collin Croal, Indar Deodat, Bishop Edghill, Nigel Dharamlall, Zulfi Mustapha, Vickram Bharrat, Kwame McCoy, Susan Rodrigues, and Sonia Parag. Ministers Zulfi, Croal, and Indar are lauded for their presence almost everywhere.
When asked whether the government should have invested more in agriculture in the latest budget, 68 per cent said yes with only 17 per cent disagreeing and 15 per cent saying not sure. The population feels that the government should continue to focus on agriculture rather than relying on oil and gas to transform the economy.
When asked if they think the government has a legal right to overturn Exxon’s oil contract, the population is divided by 30 per cent saying yes, 48 per cent saying no and 22 per cent not sure. Maximum pluralism and those insecure feeling contracts with investors are legal and sacrosanct and it would be contrary to domestic and international law to violate the sanctity of a contract. It would affect investment. It is felt that the government can seek greater involvement of local content and national interests in the development and extraction of oil fields.
Almost all respondents in the survey condemned the language and causal behavior of some Members of Parliament (MPs) during the budget debate. The public say that the language of some MPs is disgusting and unacceptable. They feel that the Assembly Speaker should not have tolerated those contributions and should have reprimanded, or suspended, the MPs.
Correctly,
Bisram Vishnu