‘How can I ever debate a Norton?’ – Jagdeo says will be forced to educate rather than debate Opp. Leader
Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jadgeo on Thursday, said he has no interest in engaging Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton in a debate about the government’s economic policies and management of the country’s oil funds.
The Vice President said it was neither out of fear of a challenge nor his inability to emerge successful but rather a refusal to his own standards.
Jagdeo, a former two-term President and Finance Minister, said he was confident in the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s management of the economy and believes Norton and many of those who support his criticism of the government is without the credibility and substance.
“How can I ever debate a Norton?
“He will come with buster and bravado and wouldn’t understand basic economic concepts.
“I wouldn’t lower myself to his level because I will have to educate him while debating,” Jagdeo told a press conference on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal.
He said the government will, in fact, respond formally to the Opposition Leader and those who joined him at the head table at his press conference – Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul and Advisor Elson Low.
“Norton today at his press conference demonstrated once again that he is the master of creating smoke screens. He believes if he repeats an issue long and often enough, people will start believing.
“But he has a limited knowledge of policymaking,” the Vice President said.
He reminded that the highest level Norton served was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and believes he lacks proper experience or even exposure to policy making to offer the criticisms he has of the incumbent PPP/C.
“Combined, none of them have the experience to talk about complex financial issues that a government by necessity has to navigate.”
Jagdeo said the opposition’s disregard for the government’s concern for avoiding the Dutch disease was laughable as it remains a present danger.
“We are hell-bent on ensuring we don’t make the same mistakes as other countries. This is a concern for government and it has allowed for careful fiscal management and dedicated policy towards diversification of the country from concentration on any single sector,” Jagdeo explained.
He reminded reporters of the removal of corporate tax on education and health care and the support for tourism and agriculture along with prudent management of all natural resources.
“They never had to do budgets, never had to do tradeoffs, never had to achieve goals and keep the economy running.
“Anyone who believes these people are part of the cool-aid gang,” Jagdeo added.
He used the press conference to highlight some of the government’s achievements as stated in the 2023 national budget while also showing how more money is allocated to key sectors that failed to receive adequate support from an APNU+AFC government.
He said almost $200 billion alone is being spent on social welfare as he sought to put to rest claims that Guyanese were not benefiting from the oil funds.
“It is being divided up to ensure we build the infrastructure of the future while at the same time, we address the social needs of our people. This is a carefully calibrated balance.”
