On Tuesday, President Dr Irfaan Ali held a work lunch at State House, Georgetown, with representatives of the small political parties involved in the political opposition, where they were invited to give their input as the government seeks to finalize the 2021 Budget .
The President told delegates they would be “pleasantly surprised” to find that once the ideas put forward were feasible, they would be included in the final document. The 2021 Budget is expected to be read in the National Assembly within the next few weeks.
Dr Ali said Tuesday’s meeting with the political parties is just the first of a series of such commitments the government intends to carry out to obtain opposition input on issues of national importance. He said the biggest project is to unite the country, while ensuring prosperity and economic viability.
“Getting together and uniting requires breaking down barriers and transforming personality … that’s harder,” said the President.
He was joined by the Senior Minister at the President’s Office with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; The Minister for Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira and other cabinet ministers.
He reminded the President of his inauguration address where he stated his intention to engage across the political divide to ensure that his plans and programs not only reflect the priorities of the government but also the priorities of the citizens.
Dr Ali said the goal is to achieve physical, economic, social, political and social transformation.
“This will depend on how each individual understands the agenda and is able to transform itself into that agenda,” he added.
Dr Singh, in his opening remarks, thanked the delegates for their integral role in playing in ensuring that Guyana’s democratic traditions were maintained during the long election period in 2020.
He welcomed the input on the 2021 Budget, explaining that this will be the first full budget for the People’s Progressive / Civic Party (PPP / C) government, following the emergency 2020 Budget.
Dr Singh said the budget will outline the government’s strong medium-term vision and respond to the country’s most pressing and urgent needs. The opposition parties represented included the Freedom and Justice Party, the New Movement and New and United Guyana; these three parties formed joys and are currently occupying one seat as part of the parliamentary opposition.
Other parties in attendance were Change Guyana, the United Republican Party, and the Citizenship Initiative.
There was no representative of the main opposition – National Unity Partnership Alliance + Alliance for Change (APNU + AFC).
In praising the President for the inclusive meeting, Kian Jabour of ANUG said he was “upset” that APNU + AFC was not represented at the table.
He reminded Dr Ali, in turn, that the coalition was still mischievous in claiming that the PPP / C was not a legitimate government. The President also reminded him of his invitation to former President David Granger for a similar dinner with all former Presidents but Mr Granger had declined that invitation.
The small parties were also briefed on the ongoing debate of the Guyana / Venezuela border by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd.