Senior Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has sharply criticised Former APNU+AFC Finance Minister Winston Jordan following his recent remarks on teacher salary increases.
Dr. Singh’s comments not only scrutinise Jordan’s tenure but also underscore what he believes is a troubling continuity in economic policies that he claims still dominate Congress Place – the headquarters of the main opposition – People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R).
According to Dr. Singh, Jordan’s latest comments on teacher salaries illustrates a broader, enduring approach characteristic of the PNC-led APNU+AFC administration.
Dr. Singh, who holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, argues that Jordan’s criticism of the PPP/C government’s tax breaks and support for the agriculture sector reflects a persistent hostility towards rural communities and the productive sector that has been a hallmark of APNU’s economic philosophy.
Singh’s further noted in his response, the legacy of economic mismanagement during Jordan’s time as APNU’s economic czar.
He points out that Jordan’s tenure was marked by the imposition of over 200 new and increased taxes, fees, and fines. These measures, Singh claims, included steep hikes in land rent for farmers and taxes on heavy equipment used in mining, which adversely affected key industries.
The statement also highlighted Jordan’s policies that, according to Singh, exacerbated the cost of living for Guyanese citizens.
Jordan’s decision to impose VAT on essential services like electricity, water, educational, and medical supplies is criticized for making these necessities more expensive, in contrast to the PPP/C’s efforts to zero-rate such items to enhance affordability.
Singh further condemns Jordan’s role in the closure of GuySuCo estates, which led to significant job losses for thousands of families.
He also accuses Jordan of mismanaging state assets, including the undervalued sale of prime waterfront property and the questionable handling of a hefty signing bonus from Exxon, which Singh alleges was hidden in a secret account.
According to Dr. Singh, Jordan’s comments about teacher salaries are not just a critique but a reminder of the economic policies that characterized APNU’s time in office.
Dr. Singh argues that these policies—marked by punitive taxation and economic neglect—are still alive and well within Congress Place.
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