Budget musings… Amna’s fluorescent jacket and Jagdeo’s shoe lace

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was too busy to tie his shoe lace

First off, Finance Minister Winston Jordan must be commended for presenting two budgets within a space of months. And while many may have missed Dr Ashni Singh’s long-windedness, Minister Jordan has nonetheless placed himself in a class of his own for managing this historical feat.
Yet, what was surprising was the relative quiet during the presentation. Even their colours -– suits and shirts chockful of earth tones and mild pinks and beige — didn’t scream any bit of excitement as they sat and received the news.

SHOE STRAP LOOSED
Or was it that they were at a loss of direction without Op¬position Leader Bharrat Jagdeo there to fire things up?

Indeed, both Jagdeo’s and Rohee’s noted absence seeming¬ly made a significant difference in the Opposition’s disposition, although the former President was earlier seen on the corridors of Parliament with his boots straps loosed.

On the other side of things, however, the APNU/AFC Co¬alition Government –- the ever colour coordinated team that they are — stood firm in their radiant greens and royal blues. Chief Whip Amna Ally took it a step above the rest to make her presence known with a fluorescent lime-shaded jacket.

Kudos to Amna for keeping things lively, for, at very low times, one could look to her to brighten things up.Needless to say, heckling was at a minimum, and ap¬plause from the coalition was abundant, reaching almost 70 instances in the entire presentation. But the Opposition wasn’t completely hushed. Certain highlights woke them up to grumble on different occasions.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, kept things lively with her bright, well coordinated colours

Pauline Sukhai, for one, was very vocal during the announcement of allocations for hinterland regions, butting heads with Dr George Norton and Amna Ally at different intervals. The discussion on plans for major road infrastructural development was also a lively topic, as the opposition felt that announcements such as the intention to make a “new road link” from Ogle to Diamond was nothing new. “All the ‘last year’ roads brought over to this year!” Irfaan Ali clearly said, implying that plans from the PPP Administration were simply regurgitated into this Budget.

But Minister Simona Broomes was quick in her response: “But we [APNU/AFC] will deliver!” More fuel was added at the failure to announce an increase in wages and salaries for public servants, as it is still being finalised. Snickers could also be heard following the announcement of a $1,200 increase for the elderly.

Throughout the time, much mention was made of the Jubilee Celebrations, with slick attempts to connect the themes

of unity and happiness as driving factors for various allo¬cations within the budget. One would expect this to be a major feature though, what with $300 million set aside for the celebrations; they won’t be able to live it down should it fall short of people’s expectations.

At the end of it all, the Government expressed its com¬mitment to “make the tough decisions to secure a better and brighter future”, stating that it is their hope to build a country where people can enjoy the good life. But, Jagdeo — though not considering it necessary to attend the sitting — wasn’t at all sold on many of the commitments made, and took to the media to condemn the $230 million sum as “anti-poor” and disappointing. In his books, ‘the good life’ probably won’t be beckoning for a while.

But that’s his job: to oppose, so no surprise there. But if you think his comments are harsh now, imagine when the debates start; everyone knows that’s where the real entertainment lies. No wonder the Opposition disagreed with the Prime Minister’s move to limit the speaking time during the upcoming debates to 20 minutes, clearly, they have lots more to say. Stay tuned!