THE maxim that there are none so blind as those who refuse to see must surely be applicable to this country’s political opposition, in and out of parliament, as represented by A Partner for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) .
These parties have become so obsessed with their politics of opposition, some say hatred, that they blind themselves to the realities of Guyana’s continuing social and economic progress. Despite, that is, all the political maneuvers, some clearly designed to destabilize the legitimate government and impede even national objectives once shared with the government by the dominant party in APNU, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
As workers in key economic sectors, including mining, agriculture, manufacturing and services, settle down to increasing productivity, respective employers and trade unions are intensifying cooperation for mutual benefits and, of course, in Guyana’s national interest.
These manifestations of maturity and sense of patriotism by workers and employers mock the callous disregard being increasingly demonstrated by the APNU/AFC bizarre concept of “responsible opposition”.
They often behave as if a combined ONE-seat majority in the 65-member Parliament can be expediently treated as equivalent to the capacity of running a government. Hence, they routinely commit serious political blunders, at times enabled by strange decisions and rulings of the Speaker that hardly demonstrate respect for this nation’s Constitution and encourage practical support for a rule of law environment.
At this time, and even in the face of woeful opposition-instigated disturbances, some resulting in tragic loss of lives, Guyana continues to hold a leading position in consistent economic growth among CARICOM states, as well as commendable observations from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
In relation to social progress, the 2012 ‘Global Gender Gap Report’, just released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), has ranked Guyana at 42 out of 135 countries with a rating higher than many countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.
As reported in yesterday’s edition of the ‘Chronicle’, the WEF study highlighted that with talent shortages projected to become more severe in much of the developed and developing world, “maximizing access to female talent is a strategic imperative for business…”                       

Rice and sugar
Incidentally, publication of the ‘Global Gender Gap Report’ coincided with other local reportage that pointed to more encouraging news from the sugar and rice sectors.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, as well as GAWU (Guyana Agricultural Workers Union)’s President, Komal Chand and GuySuCo’s Chairman, Raj Singh separately spoke with optimism of a better than earlier expected performance of the sugar industry, with a particular emphasis on what’s expected to be the best output from the modern Skeldon sugar factory since it was commissioned.
Minister Ramsammy additionally disclosed that this year’s rice production is set to exceed 400,000 tonnes once again, and that approximately 220,000 of rice have already been exported in 2012 to earn some US$130 million:
Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago-based private sector conglomerate, ANSA McAL, was last week celebrating its 20 years of operations in Guyana. Its diversified businesses in the region, including Guyana, provide employment for more than 6,000 employees.
Coincidentally, its corporate presence in Guyana corresponds to the period to date of the PPP/C in government since October 1992. Chief Executive Officer of ANSA McAL, Anthony Sabga, took the opportunity last week to further speak with enthusiasm of the major investment currently being made for a bio-fuel project in Guyana, at a cost of approximately US$300 million.
The project would involve a sugarcane plantation to produce at least two million metric tons of high-sucrose sugarcane annually to enable the production of ethanol as well as raw sugar.
The feasibility study for the multi-million-dollar bio-fuel project, which started under the last administration of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, has been warmly welcomed by President Donald Ramotar.
He reaffirmed last week the  government’s commitment to encouraging regional and foreign investments that would further achieve more diversified economic development in Guyana; create new jobs and enhance real growth.