While the government’s oil-backed cash transfers are commendable, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton believes the processes used for its implementation are questionable.
Norton, during the opposition’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, said he had given the administration an across-the-board ‘F’ Grade for their performance this year. When asked by the Guyana Standard whether the administration was graded fairly, Norton was moved to commend the government for launching several cash transfer initiatives with the aim of aiding those hit hardest by the high cost of living.
Norton said the opposition has always supported the notion that Guyanese must benefit monetarily from the oil revenues. He noted that in 2022, a number of “cash transfer” initiatives were undertaken. Norton said however that while the efforts were commendable, there were still other areas in which the current regime “failed Guyanese.”
The Opposition Leader outlined that the process of disbursement of the COVID-19 cash grants was flawed. He alluded to claims that there still persons awaiting their one-off cash grants from the administration.
He then suggested that the administration use a portion of the oil revenues to properly address the issue of poverty. Norton further stated that the disbursement of resources should have one agenda to improve the lives of Guyanese.
“They have been politicizing it and using it for political bribery and that we condemn. Though we agree that our people need transfers we condemn acts of corruption that go with it. We think it’s a positive to transfer resources to our people but the way the PPP has been doing it is questionable,” Norton said.
President Irfaan Ali last month underscored that while the oil and gas sector unlocks resources, Guyana’s development is not solely hinged on those funds. The resources from that sector, he reiterated, will be managed responsibly to build out the economy in a sustainable manner.
