Granger’s speech struck a passionate and controlled tone and lamented that we need to pay our workers better and through this we need to reduce and eventually eliminate giving bribes to various individuals to get simple tasks done.

Mr. Granger begged for an era of cooperation where he understands the difficulties Ministers face but we have to work together to solve these issues. He gave explanations of real hardships faced by citizens, he lamented books, meals and transportation being serious issues in education and he stated that access to education does not translate to building a pretty school.  Mr. Granger explained that what is wrong with having school boats in the hinterland the transport network is the river so why don’t we have school boats.

The speaker interrupted Mr. Granger and admonished the hecklers from the government and reminded them that while the heckling was going on through the debates Mr. Granger was not involved in any of it and thus should be accorded the same courtesy, the PPP bench somewhat embarrassed for being caught in the act was silent for the rest of his speech.

Mr. Granger pointed out that crime is a serious issue in Guyana and called for a National drug strategy master plan and he also called for appropriate funds to be put into the key agencies to empower them with the equipment and the training to improve these key agencies.

The opposition leader called on adopting innovative approaches with private businesses to create jobs which he explained is a national problem. He stated that Joblessness is a national problem. Further he explained that there is a gap being created in society between the haves and have nots.

Mr. Granger pointed out that UG needs to be a beacon of Guyana and 900 Million dollars will not cut it to raise the level of UG to the standard of others in the Caribbean, this is very true because Guyana with the current salary scale for lecturers cannot attract top talent to work at UG and the outgoing chancellor has also made this point to the press and other stakeholders.

He stated that the door is open for discussion and cooperation on the budget discussions he stated that he hopes this would be the last “do it yourself” budget that hits parliament, he further stated that the lights are on and the opposition was waiting to work together with the PPP to solve the problems of Guyana jointly. Mr. Granger ended his speech with calling on the house to work together for the children of Guyana so they can reflect on the 10Th. parliament as the model for how future parliaments will work together.