What next?

The average Guyanese will probably not pry into every detail of the budget. Most of us are not economists. Most of us just want to know what measures would have been put in place to aid in the improvement of our lives.

This week, the presentation of the proposed 2017 budget was received with a barrage of criticism. Many also expressed their approval, while noting that nothing comes easy and if we want to advance as a nation certain sacrifices must be made. But I wonder how long we will have to make sacrifices and when will we, as a collective, truly enjoy ‘the good life’?

Since the advent of the APNU+AFC government, there have been disappointments–increasing the ministers’ salaries shortly after they took office was one such controversial decision. When some of us voted for this government, we knew that they were not without flaws, but many decisions have caused us to wonder about common sense.

“Like somebody do dis government?” I’ve heard it said a few times.

I do not believe that supernatural powers are at work to cause this government to fail. There are genuine government officials who have Guyana’s best interests at heart and the government has made some progress–the return of local government elections for example. But those egotistical characters within the government are not hidden. Maybe some were just not prepared for governance or do not really believe in their ability to lead. I am no expert on politics, but you do not have to be one to ponder on these things.

Yes, they inherited a country damaged by years of corruption. First, it was 28 years, then it was 22, with both sides accusing the other of being the worse. Yes, we understand that it will take more than five years to fix the issues but what we want to see is more positive momentum and not silly mistakes. We want to be prepared when major decisions are made. Most people have no time to obsess about the past. They are concerned about the present and moving forward. The people want to know that they are being heard. They want to know that their leaders can identify with them. There will always be a distinction between the government and the people, but the government must do everything in its power to let the people know that they hear and see them. This relationship must not only become crucial when they want votes.

While on one hand there are opposition leaders and supporters highlighting every unsatisfactory or seemingly questionable decision the government makes, on the other hand there are APNU+AFC devotees who are quick to defend the government. Then there are the people who judge solely by the works–people who are not afraid to openly speak about the failings and at the same time not afraid to praise the government when they get it right . The issue that seems to have gotten most people talking about the recent budget is the proposal of a 14% Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity and water if the utility bill thresholds of $10,000 for electricity and $1,500 for water are surpassed. One argument in defence is that most Guyanese—80% to be exact—don’t exceed the threshold for electricity and so most of the population will not be affected. 80% seems a little suspect to me, but since I never conducted a survey I can’t dispute it. But I know folks who are not business owners who pay more than $10,000 a month for electricity and more than $1,500 for water. My home, for example, pays $12,000 a month for electricity and $2,300 for water. But what about the folks who pay in excess of $20,000 a month? Many of them are not the rich folks who will pay the VAT without so much as a wince. Are less fortunate folks supposed to be thankful for small mercies and find the extra money they will need to pay by any means necessary?

Yes, VAT on electricity and water will encourage conservation, which is excellent. Many times we leave the pipes running with no thought behind it and in many homes we do not think about how we are using electricity. So, yes, it will encourage people to be more conscious.

Even though the budget proposed small mercies like old age pension being increased by $800 (I suppose granny and grandpa could get an extra pound of milk), the income tax threshold being raised to $60,000 (it is still hard to imagine how some folks survive on the little they make especially if they have families) and VAT being reduced by 2%, the people expressing their frustration on having to pay taxes on water and electricity are justified because of the poor service we receive.

Two days after the budget was presented, my sister was forced to leave her home in Buxton and come all the way to Georgetown to complete her work because the transformer blew in her area and over twelve hours later GPL had not turned up to fix it.

Perhaps a lot of people wouldn’t complain so much about the VAT if GPL could guarantee that there would be no more blackouts and when a problem occurs they will arrive shortly thereafter to fix it and if areas like Diamond are not left for days or weeks without a water supply.

Perhaps, if we could actually drink the pipe water and not have to budget money to buy drinking water it would not hurt so much. Yes, there are those brave folks who actually drink the water. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine who lives in Georgetown said circumstances caused him and his family to resort to drinking the pipe water one day. They boiled the water but everyone in the house still became sick with gastroenteritis. The water that comes out the pipes is never clear but always brown or cloudy. Sometimes, it smells. Sometimes, one wonders if it’s even safe to bathe with. A water filter, which is supposed to last a couple of months, survives two weeks and the filth one sees in those filters makes it hard to think we actually let the water touch our skins and enter our mouths when we brush our teeth.

I know that it is not easy to govern and sometimes even with the best of intentions the criticisms will abound. Guyana’s problems did not begin yesterday. It will take years with honest leaders to get us to a place where we can see the development of our country and be proud. . However, one of saddest realities over the last year and a half is that the fire in many young people who campaigned and voted for the government has gone out. Many have lost hope. Many feel betrayed. Many are frustrated. I have heard statements like “I am never voting again,” “Is nah change is exchange,” and “I am migrating.” One wonders what will happen in 2020.