In his new year’s address to the nation, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton broadsided the Government as one that lacks compassion and competence, noting that citizens continue to face a high cost of living with little effort by the Government to address the situation. He also accused the government of discrimination.

“We endured more rampant ethnic and political discrimination. This led to certain groups unduly benefiting more than others, and certain communities being better treated than others. We believe that all Guyanese and all communities should benefit. Unfortunately, this is not the case in present day Guyana. From our outreaches we have witnessed poverty among all Guyanese and we commit ourselves to addressing this issue so that all Guyanese can be removed from the breadline and poverty”, Mr. Norton said.

The Opposition Leader, who was elected to the position almost a year ago, said currently, Guyana is not a society based on democracy and the Rule of Law.

“We are forced to withstand more and more attacks on our human rights and personal liberties. We continue to experience trumped-up political charges against the opponents of the government. They are becoming increasingly more arrogant, exclusionary, and lawless. The actions of the government threaten social cohesion and make us distant from realizing our motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, he said.

Norton said in this new year, the Opposition will continue to engage the diplomatic community and widen the list of countries and international organisations that it will engage to bring attention to the ills of the current administration and the impact on the citizens of the country.

The Opposition Leader said too many citizens are facing despair and that must be addressed.

“We believe that we need an approach that ensures our people benefit from our resources. To this end we have advocated for a people-centered development in which the allocation of resources in our society is aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating poverty and giving our people a better quality of life”.

Norton said the Opposition will continue to keep the pressure on the government to implement cost of living relief measures, to ensure fair and equitable allocation of our resources to citizens and will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of citizens and communities.

“We in the Opposition will not relent on these fronts. Our people’s livelihood is at stake. The destiny of our country is at stake. Failure is therefore not an option. Let us as a nation stand up and unite to defend Guyana on these fronts”, he said.

Mr. Norton said the reality in Guyana today is that the lives of citizens are deteriorating, even in the face of end of year bonuses and salary adjustments for some.

“The government’s style of one-off measures will not work. It cannot reduce or eliminate poverty. Sporadic, knee-jerk responses will not work. Harum scarum decisions will not work. Gimmicks will not deliver. At the end of 2023, the government will not reduce or eliminate poverty, the quality of life of many will worsen and rampant corruption will not be curtailed. In fact, it will increase; discrimination and corruption will continue to be the order of the day while the government’s elite, friends, family and favourites continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the Guyanese people.”

Norton said the Opposition will continue its work and prepare for the 2025 elections with the aim to get back into Government since there is a need for more vision and people centred policies.

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