Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed today said the Guyana Government has no solution to deal with cost of living crisis in the country.

At a press conference, Mr. Mohamed said there should be some form of price control for basic food items at certain supermarkets and establishments declaring that the cost of living crisis in the country is worsening.

He said basic food items are sky rocketing everyday, and the Government appears to have no answers to deal with the situation.

“We need price control on items, we cannot allow Massy and these places to put on so high markup on items, at least basic food items and certain things our people need, they have to ensure they cut back on their profits, certain companies have to cut back on your profits, Mohamed noted.

The Opposition leader said the cost of living issue must be looked at in totally and the factors driving the cost for food and other items up.

He alleged that some Government officials may be competing with local cattle farmers, which is also pushing locals to increase cost.

He said the country’s persistent U.S dollar shortage is also driving cost up.

“How can we expect the cost of living to drop when we have Ministers of government competing with our locals. Then, a major blow for us presently with this cost of living is the U.S dollar, presently if you go to the Banks and as for a wire transfer of USD $20,000, they have to line up for 2-3 weeks before our banks can send of a wire transfer, this is ludicrous,” the Opposition Leader said.

Additionally, the Opposition Leader noted that with the country’s earnings from the oil and gas sector, the people of Guyana should be better off.

“Every day we are producing 920,000 barrels of oil, we are a rich country but our people are poor, check the profit oil and royalty, Guyana is receiving just on oil approximately $8B Guyana dollars a day, and it is sad that public servants would reach out to me stating they can’t make ends meet because when they go to the market is $10,000 and $20,000 and we have speak about this so many times about basic food items skyrocketing and they don’t have a solution or plan” Mr. Mohamed stated.

Mr. Mohamed has called for greater support to farmers and tightening of the country’s border to stem gold smuggling and increase the country’s revenue base to assist with the cost of living crisis.

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