Rambachan: UNC should shift focus to social issues in 2021

FORMER UNC MP Surujrattan Rambachan says in 2021, the UNC should shift its focus to finding ways to achieve social stability, reduce crime and poverty, among other things.

In a release on Sunday, he said everyone should “learn from the chulha maker in Siparia.

“It does not have to be doom and gloom in 2021 if the nation can be mobilised with an exciting vision and programme for change.

“There is the story of a lady making chulha and clay ovens as a result of having to survive during (the) covid19 (pandemic). She did not sit down and become State-dependent. She was not afraid to dirty her hands with mud and gobar. She invented a vision, reinvented herself, made action her mantra and is creating a sustainable job for herself and her family.”

He said 2021 might be a year of “turbulence” owing to decreasing economic power.

The real issue and challenge, he said, is how long the economy can be sustained at a time where “State dependants have grown and will continue to grow.

“Given the spectre of continuing job losses and business closures as well as closed borders affecting tourism it is clear that policy prescriptions supported by strategic interventions will be necessary to stave off an economic crisis with its social outcomes.

“The government is likely to harp on the $50-plus per barrel for oil as well as the better gas prices as evidence that we are not going to be badly off. This of course also due to our heritage and stabilisation fund which has been used to supplement falling revenues.”

He then suggested what the UNC, “as an alternative government” should shift its focus to in 2021.

“(They should focus on) how to achieve a diversified economy with sustainable jobs and foreign exchange earnings; how to reduce poverty and move more people up the economic ladder with the ability to house, feed, educate and keep their families healthy; how to raise the standards of performance and delivery of public service institutions including but not limited to health water and electricity; how to deal with environmental degradation including climate change and community hygiene, create safer communities and reduce crime; how to create a competitive people to compete with the best in the world, (and) how to ensure social stability.”