The PNC needs to engage gov’t to ensure the national budget makes for balanced development across the country

The PNC held a rally at Burnham Court on the second anniversary of the PPP coming into office in 2020. While the PPP published its very long list of projects accomplished, the PNC Opposition Leader, Mr. Norton, focused much on why he did not shake President’s Ali’s hand at the Emancipation Day festival. He also alleged discrimination to the crowd. But he also advised them to take all the goodies offered by the Government, since it is Guyana’s and not the PPP’s resources.

The nation wants a strong viable Opposition to keep the Government on track and keep them on their toes for good governance, accountability, and transparency. The Opposition must be a government-in-waiting as it offers alternative policy initiatives, gives reasonable, sensible critiques and is watching the Government like a hawk, asking questions, and seeking answers. Apart from assertions of imagined discrimination, the speech was quite empty. The PNC’s messaging must be credible and go beyond the race card. Mr. Norton said he was quite surprised at the attendance and did not think people will show up. While he focuses on alleged discrimination, his supporters are experiencing direct engagement from the Government side and seeing some results.

The PNC needs to engage the Government and make sure the national budget makes provisions for balanced development across the country. Such engagement requires ongoing dialogue and meetings. At this time, the most urgent priority is to get the Government to change course and renegotiate the bad oil contract signed by Mr. Norton’s PNC party. Mr. Norton has not answered the question whether he met with Exxon’s top brass when he visited the USA. Mr. Norton is also silent on renegotiation and runs away from that “R” word. Mr. Jordan and Mr. Patterson of the Opposition have been making swipes at aspects of the bad oil contracts. That is good. Mr. Norton needs to get on board and unite with the Government to bring the nation together on this very important issue. The PNC and Mr. Norton should not sit by and allow the oil companies to pump oil on a fast track while the royalty is low, and then all the oil will be gone and our people remain dirt poor.

Wake up Mr. Norton and make oil renegotiation your number one priority. Continue asking questions in parliament on the various projects. Organize your supporters to monitor the quality of projects meeting contract specifications. Dig deep into why all these infrastructural projects are costing so much. Your supporters control the Public Service, ask them to be whistleblowers if they are aware of corruption. Generalized assertions are not enough. To the Government side, I say engagement must be meaningful, not token. Solve problems proactively, such as collective bargaining. Don’t wait for people to march in the streets, burn things, and block roads before you act on solving problems.