The question is really very simple: Will the PPP/C propose inclusive governance in the constitutional reform process that is due to commence this year, as promised in its 2020 Manifesto? This is the question I asked in my article two weeks ago – “Constitutional Reform and the 2023 Budget.” The Attorney General, the Hon. Anil Nandlall, sought to answer the question in a response printed by the SN on 13 February, in the way that lawyers sometimes do – evade the subject by focusing on a tangential issue.
Continue reading “NOW WHO IS CHERRY-PICKING?“THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION
In July last year, well known activist, Jonathan Yearwood, sought from the Commissioner of Information his good offices in obtaining a copy of the contract entered into between the Ministry of Housing and Impressions Inc. relating to the Building Expo which had been held earlier. Yearwood had requested the information from the Ministry without success. The Commissioner, Justice Charles Ramson S.C., former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, wrote to the Ministry requesting a copy of the contract and advised Yearwood accordingly. As it turned out, the Ministry did not provide the Commissioner with the contract, and it has never been revealed. This begs the question, was there a contract in writing?
Continue reading “THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION”CONSTITUTION REFORM AND THE 2023 BUDGET
The Constitution Reform Commission Act was passed in November 2022. Its membership is comprised as follows: 5 – PPP/C; 4 – APNU+AFC; 1 each representing the following: LJP-ANUG-NM; Guyana Bar Association; Labour Movement; National Toshaos’ Council; private sector; womens’ organisations; youth organisations: Christian organisations; Muslim organisations; Hindu prganisations; farmers. The chair and deputy chair shall be elected from among the members. The structure reflected the Constitution Reform Act of 1999.
Continue reading “CONSTITUTION REFORM AND THE 2023 BUDGET”POVERTY AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN GUYANA
There is no dispute that much poverty still exists in Guyana. Its existence and alleged absence of solutions to relieve it were among the highlights of the Budget Debate last week, uninspiring as many of the speeches were.
Continue reading “POVERTY AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN GUYANA“GUYANA ON THE MOVE
The budget outlining the Government’s plans, programmes and expenditures for 2023 reflects Guyana’s increasing income from its rapidly expanding petroleum industry. At $781.9 billion, as against $552.9 billion for 2022, this budget is 41 percent larger than 2022. The 2022 budget was in turn larger that the 2021 budget by 44.3 percent. This budget was facilitated by an economic growth of 62.3 percent in 2022. The 2022 budget was facilitated by a growth rate in 2021 of 19.9 percent.
Continue reading “GUYANA ON THE MOVE”