Defiant representative of the Joinder party list in the National Assembly, Dr Asha Kissoon has offered her full support for the Government’s $1.3 trillion budget, declaring that the time for divisive politics must come to an end.

Dr Kissoon, who sits on the Opposition side of the National Assembly, has been accused of illegally occupying the parliamentary seat and refusing to give it up.

“Over the last few days, we have heard the words ‘friends, family and favorites’, when will we stop victimizing our hard-working Guyanese people simply due to their political preferences? At the end of the day, every person bidding for contracts would have voted for a political party, government or opposition or independent, why bring shame on these hard-working citizens, who are doing their work daily, and belittle them by saying they only have contracts because they are “friends. Family and favorites” we can do better than this,” she told the House.

The other members of the Opposition walked out of Kisssoon’s parliamentary speech.

Under the joinder agreement, Kissoon should have been in the National Assembly for just a few months, and should have already made way for another representative of the list to take up the seat. She has been in the Assembly now for almost two years.

MP Kissoon has refused to speak on that issue, but focused much of her contribution this morning to the health sector. She said advances have been ongoing in the sector under the current government.

“Cancer statistics have been rising globally and Guyana must be able to keep up and provide comprehensive care, including palliative care for its citizens. The cervical cancer screening vouchers have helped thousands of women and the initiative must be recognized. There are now ultrasounds being offered at primary health care centers, and advances in laboratory services,” she told the House.  

Turning her attention to the Housing and Water Sector, Dr. Kissoon said she is also pleased with the development in the sector and said she is pleased with the allocation of house lots.

“I must acknowledge that with the rapid distribution rate, it has been challenging for the development of infrastructure in these areas, as is expected Mr. Speaker, but I urge the ministers of housing and water to place focus on developing the infrastructure in these areas. If you speak to the same person who complain that their house lot is “somewhere over there” the same persons will tell you that they are happy to have their title. I do believe that it’s better for one to have their land title in hand and await infrastructure than sit with nothing,” she said.

She said young people are sometimes locked out of opportunities for land ownership due to bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints.

“I urge this House to consider reducing the minimum age for applying for government land from 21 to 18. Young people should have the right to invest in their future early and contribute to national development. To make this a reality, the government could consider introducing interest-free loans for first-time young landowners, backed by state guarantees, and further subsidize land pricing for youth applicants. We are building this great nation for them, and they must be given the means to participate in that process,” Dr Kissoon argued.

Kissoon, who is the leader of The New Movement, also praised the infrastructural projects that are expected to be executed this year, and the cost-of-living measures that are intended to bring relief to citizens.

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