HGP NIGHTLY NEWS – APNU/PNCR leader Aubrey Norton has launched a stinging attack on the Government’s economic record, accusing the administration of deepening hardship for ordinary Guyanese through corruption, poor planning, and policy choices that favour the political elite.
Speaking during an interview on Nation Watch on December 14, the APNU/PNCR leader acknowledged that global inflation has placed pressure on economies worldwide, but argued that Guyana’s cost-of-living crisis has been intensified by domestic failures. According to Norton, weak investment in critical sectors such as health, housing, and agriculture has left households exposed, even as national revenues continue to grow.
He said public sector workers are bearing the brunt of the imbalance, while senior officials and politically connected contractors enjoy rising incomes and benefits. Pointing to the widening wage gap between ministers, the president, and average workers, Norton described the situation as “deliberate impoverishment,” arguing that it reflects policy choices rather than economic necessity.
Reaffirming his party’s stance, Norton called for a minimum 25 percent increase in public service wages, insisting that Guyana’s oil revenues make such an adjustment both affordable and overdue. He said without meaningful wage growth, workers’ purchasing power will continue to erode as prices for food, utilities, and basic services climb.
The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about governance in the health sector, alleging that poor oversight has compromised service delivery. He claimed that medications procured for public hospitals frequently become unavailable to patients, forcing them to seek treatment privately at their own expense. Norton further questioned the quality and longevity of recent infrastructure projects, noting that roads often show signs of deterioration shortly after completion, which he attributed to corruption and the absence of long-term planning.
According to Norton, addressing the rising cost of living requires more than headline projects and one-off interventions. He argued for sustained investment in people-centred development, including education, agriculture, healthcare, and skills training, as the only way to build resilience and reduce inequality.
“If this trajectory continues,” Norton warned, “the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer.” He called for a national conversation on accountability, equitable growth, and ensuring that Guyana’s expanding wealth translates into tangible improvements in everyday life for all citizens.
