Government to continue efforts to fulfill all promises as first 100 days expires

Prime Minister Nagamootoo believes the coalition government has by and large kept its promises and said where there had not been completion of a particular promise, the commitment to implement still stands.

Government to continue efforts to fulfill all promises as first 100 days expires

Days after awarding itself an ‘A’ Grade for the implementation of its 21-point first 100 days plan, the coalition government has come forward with a fresh commitment to fully implement all of its promises while acknowledging several shortfalls.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo updated the media on the government’s progress on Monday, which also signaled the expiration of the government’s first 100 days in office.

Nagamootoo believes the coalition government has by and large kept its promises and said where there had not been completion of a particular promise, the commitment to implement still stands.

“I would like to report on behalf of the coalition government that we have in fact, to the 100 days plan, kept those promises and we continue to deepen implementation of all promises,” Nagamootoo declared.

He pointed specifically to the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and constitutional reform which will require the cooperation of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and remains outstanding.

Already the government has held two conferences promised in the plan, passed two pieces of legislation and made changes to the current taxation structure.

The administration has also lowered the Berbice Bridge toll and offered salary increases to public servants along with increases in old age pension.

It is yet to lay and pass the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill and lower the current 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) although it has removed vat from several food items.

Some 7 of the 21 promises await the passage of the 2015 budget before full implementation.

“This has never happened before or 53 years in my service to public life, I have never seen any political party being as bold as this coalition to put in writing what it intended to do in 100 days and that must go to our credit and show the extent to which we intend to keep those promises,” Nagammotoo told media operatives.

The Prime Minister said it must be noted that the government was challenged by several unforeseen circumstances including, two episodes of floods, territorial threat from neighboring Venezuela and the opposition that boycotted parliament and refused recognize the legitimacy of the government.

Regardless, he said the government remains determined to continue fulfilling all promises. On Friday Last, State Minister Joe Harmon said it was his belief that the government was an ‘A’ Grade with regards to the implementation of its 21-point 100 day plan as laid out in its 2015 elections manifesto.

The government’s Chief spokesman said that based on the government’s own checklist, it is extremely comfortable with the work done and accomplishments made under the plan.

But the opposition is at total odds with the government and has doled out an ‘F’ Grade to the government in this regard. Party General Secretary Clement Rohee said there is “nothing laudable that the government has done since taking office.”

Rohee acknowledged that seven of the promises were to be delivered through the budget, eight promises were in the progress of being fulfilled, four are in advance progress while two are partially completed.

“The ludicrous claim that the government deserves an A grade is a most presumptuous statement,” Rohee concluded at a press conference that followed shortly after the government wrapped up its own press conference.

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