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Greater inclusion leads to greater prosperity – President Ali tells politicians

…parties praise Govt’s “inclusivity” in Budget 2021 engagement

https://guyanatimesgy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ali-1-1-1.jpgPresident Irfaan Ali in discussion with members of the various political parties

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to engaging all stakeholders to ensure that Government’s plans and programmes reflect the priorities of the people.

The Head of State gave this assurance during a meeting at State House with representatives from Guyana’s small political parties. Its members were invited to discuss Budget 2021 preparations.

“You are all stakeholders in this process. And as we have embarked on Budget 2021, I thought it necessary that at least we have a working lunch and examine some of your thoughts, some of what you see as priorities, so that we can have a discussion, so that we can consult, so that we can arrive at a programme in which all of Guyana feel as if they’re part of it,” President Ali stated.

Present at the engagement were representatives from A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), the Citizenship Initiative (TCI), the New Movement (TNM), United Republican Party (URP) and Change Guyana.

The Head of State was joined by several members of his Cabinet, including Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai.

President Ali pointed to the importance of “collective ownership” of the development trajectory, which he said will not only lead to greater prosperity and prospects but will pave the way for the opportunity to unify the people of Guyana.

“And that is the greatest project we have that is utmost on my mind… We can build a country that is strong, prosperous and economically viable. That takes critical thinking, that takes vision, that takes clarity, that takes action, but coming together and unifying requires a bit more.”

The President emphasised the need to break down “selfish barriers” and to embrace new ways of thinking and behaviours in order to achieve this goal.

He related that Government’s approach moving forward will be to engage in an innovative manner, which is being initiated by the Budget 2021 discussions.

President Ali reminded the politicians that his Government had reached out to former President David Granger to discuss inclusivity.

“We have been reaching out and trying our best… I invited former President Granger to a meeting that he did not attend and then we have the one component of the Opposition who are still mischievously peddling the agenda that the Government is illegitimate so we have to deal with things in context… that narrative has to be corrected.”

In his remarks, Dr Ashni Singh emphasised the importance of the engagement in finalising Budget 2021.

“In order to ensure that we outline that vision in the most comprehensive way possible and in order to ensure that we identify the most critical interventions that are needed now and that are needed to lay the foundation going forward, we want to ensure that you get the widest possible cross-section of views. You are important stakeholders and we would like to hear from you.” The Minister further asked those in attendance to share their visions of Guyana’s future and to highlight the critical needs of the country.

Dr Singh also used the opportunity to express appreciation and a sense of “indebtedness” to those present for their role in ensuring that Guyana remained a democratic country. He noted too that the victory is one that must be preserved going forward.

Meanwhile, Minister Teixeira expressed her appreciation to the representatives present for acknowledging the invitation by the President. She noted that the engagement was integral for the country to move forward in an inclusionary manner.

“For me and my sector – governance – this is a very important meeting in terms of inclusion, in terms of involvement and in terms of being able to sit down and to come up with what is in the best interest of our country and our people. And so, this forum, I believe, offers that opportunity, particularly around the 2021 budget. I’m sure, knowing the President, this will not be the only such forum that we will be creating for dialogue discussions with various civil society bodies, political parties.”

Meanwhile, following the remarks by the Head of State and Ministers present, Dr Vishnu Bandhu of the URP said the discussions provided the platform for all parties to collaborate, to move the country forward and to bring the people of Guyana together.

Dr Abedin Kindi Ali from Change Guyana added, “I am here on behalf of our party to participate and to give some input on the 2021 budget… we are looking forwards to a meaningful discussion.”

Aruna Budhram of a New and United Guyana stated, “I am very heartened that there is this will to reach out … I understand that there is a duty and an obligation and because of that I am very happy that we have a voice and that we are able to participate in this process.”

ANUG member, Kian Jabour expressed appreciation for being included in the process and towards the Government for reaching out.

Representative of the joiner parties in Parliament, Lenox Shuman said he was looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the Government on aspects of Budget 2021.

Finally, Asha Kissoon of The New Movement related “I must say that the efforts that we have seen so far to kickstart the economy have been fruitful … we look forward to the discussions today, we have some inputs and we are happy that we are able to voice our concerns.”

Along with budget discussion, the small parties were also briefed on the development in Venezuela.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Who made Ali a Sultan? We have oil yes but are an independent people of many races and tribes with independent thoughts. We are not Arabs, give us a constitution that guarantees democracy.

Do something meaningful other than empty rhetoric, make Guyana free of crimes.

S
@seignet posted:

Who made Ali a Sultan? We have oil yes but are an independent people of many races and tribes with independent thoughts. We are not Arabs, give us a constitution that guarantees democracy.

Do something meaningful other than empty rhetoric, make Guyana free of crimes.

This is an ongoing process. It just started. They are going to have a positive agenda with all parties contributing to rebuilding the economy.

The Coalition chooses to abstain from the dialogue.  That's their problem.

Seigy, they want to jump-start the economy, you want to a new constitution. 

How will you make Guyana free of crimes?  Guyanese have been talking about eradicating crimes independence.

Dr. Ali means business and his ideas are not empty rhetorics.  Now you know why he is the President and not Granger.

R
@seignet posted:

Who made Ali a Sultan? We have oil yes but are an independent people of many races and tribes with independent thoughts. We are not Arabs, give us a constitution that guarantees democracy.

Do something meaningful other than empty rhetoric, make Guyana free of crimes.

And this group only represents 53% of the populace.  A working lunch and fete at the tax payers expense.

Mitwah
@seignet posted:

Rama, all talk mek Ali a dull boi. I wish they would do SUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMTHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.

You should visit Guyana and you will see the beautiful things that are happening in the country. 

Ali is doing great. I believe that he has met his campaign promise to be inclusive.

I know you wish that he would fail but that is not going to happen.

R

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