Region One residents alerted of possible snap elections

– if opposition continues to frustrate development efforts

The Local Government Ministry during a four-day visit to several Amerindian villages in the Moruca sub-district of  Region One told residents that President Donald has indicated that he is willing to cut short his term in office if the opposition continues to frustrate efforts at development. The ministry also told residents of the impact of budget cuts on their villages and fielded concerns of residents.
Residents of villages along the Barama River last Friday and Saturday were updated about the situation in Parliament and the effect of the budget cuts on their development. The two-day outreach saw four villages being visited: Kokerite, Kariakou, Chinese Landing, and Waikerbi.
Personal Assistant to the Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Vickram Bharrat delivered a message from President Ramotar of a possible snap election. Bharrat greeted residents on behalf of President Ramotar, stating that the Guyanese leader was willing to cut short his term if development does not continue apace.
“What he is saying is if development does not take place in Guyana at the pace we want it to, if it is being stagnated or curtailed by the opposition, especially in Parliament, then he will be willing to cut that five years,” Bharrat told Amerindians.
He assured that his team, which included Region One Vice Chairman Fermi Singh, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Muhammad Arjune, councillors and the engineer of the region’s Regional Democratic Council, was on the outreach to inform the Amerindian villages of what is happening in the rest of the country.
Turning his attention to the budget cuts, Bharrat pointed out that the historic Gy$ 192.8 billion budget was reduced by more than Gy$ 20 billion by the combined parliamentary opposition after it was presented in March.
Explaining to residents the one-seat majority held by the opposition, Bharrat said the Alliance For Change and the A Partnership for National Unity “locking up together” and shooting down government plans and polices for development.
“The reason or the message that the president is sending is that if that nonsense continues in Parliament when they cutting down everything, then ‘I will cut short my term by two years, three years and then we will work hard and get our people to come out and vote and vote right’,” Bharrat told Amerindians.
He went on to point out that because of the cuts the villages’ Community Development Plans may not be completed this year, because the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which funds the plans, was cut. He also noted that 11,000 Amerindians will be unable to receive their home solar systems this year, since that was also cut from the budget when funding for the Office of the President and other agencies was cut. Also affected by the cuts is the land demarcation process which was undertaken by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, he pointed out.