As Guyana experiences an economic boom virtually unrivaled in the world, it is increasingly clear that thoughtful stewardship by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has been a decisive factor. The contrast in approaches to economic management between the current administration and its predecessors could not be more stark. Under the PPP/C’s tenure since 2020, Guyana leapt from moderate growth to global leader in GDP expansion, averaging nearly 50% growth annually. Far from squandering the spoils of an oil windfall, the government laid out a strategy to invest in long-term development while safeguarding fiscal stability – a strategy now bearing fruit in rising incomes, jobs and living standards.

Critics and opposition figures have repeatedly questioned the rapid pace of spending from newfound oil revenues. The opposition warned of potential waste or even a “resource curse.” But those dire predictions ring hollow against current realities. Massive investments in infrastructure – new highways, bridges, ports – are visibly unlocking business across Guyana. Meanwhile, prudent financial management has maintained inflation under control and built healthy foreign reserves. The sovereign wealth fund, reformed by PPP/C legislation for greater transparency, has grown past US$1 billioneven as withdrawals fund critical projects. This balanced approach belies the opposition’s alarmist narrative that the government would drain the fund recklessly. Instead, international monitors like the IMF have praised Guyana’s “highly favorable” outlook and its responsible use of oil earnings to drive non-oil growth.

Indeed, much of the current prosperity traces to decisions made when PPP/C returned to office. One early move was to dismantle burdensome VAT taxes on electricity, water and basic goods – a relief to households that spurred consumer spending. The government then aggressively pursued delayed projects: the new Demerara River bridge, long postponed under the previous administration, is now under construction; plans for the transformational Amaila Falls hydropower plant, abandoned by the opposition-led government in 2015, have been revived to secure cheaper, clean energy. Each initiative speaks to a forward-looking economic vision. Where the opposition saw obstacles or engaged in endless reviews, the PPP/C has been about execution. The resulting momentum is tangible in daily life – faster travel times, more reliable electricity on the grid, and expanding business investment in sectors from housing to agro-processing.

Critically, the current government’s economic inclusivity sets it apart. The opposition often focused development in certain strongholds, but the PPP/C’s boom has reached all regions. Hinterland communities are receiving funds for village projects from carbon credit earnings; coastal farmers are benefiting from farm-to-market roads and drainage upgrades. Even traditional opposition enclaves like Linden (Region 10) have not been neglected – new highways and a planned stadium are bringing jobs and signaling that development knows no political color. This national approach not only lifts more people from poverty, it undercuts the opposition’s ability to stoke discontent. Many Guyanese who once felt left out now see visible improvements and credit the current leadership.

To be sure, challenges accompany the boom. Managing public expectations is one; diversifying the economy beyond oil is another. Here too the PPP/C appears engaged, launching initiatives in agriculture, tech and tourism to ensure resilience. Contrast this with the opposition’s tenure (2015–2020), which often seemed to lack a coherent economic plan beyond austerity and delay. In those years, growth sputtered and projects stalled. The difference now is night and day. As Guyana hurtles forward, the opposition finds itself with little to offer except critiques that increasingly miss the mark. For citizens enjoying newfound opportunities – a better job, a scholarship for their child, a new business grant – such gains are hard evidence that competent, visionary governance matters. The PPP/C promised to turn oil wealth into broad-based progress, and by most measures, it is delivering. The onus is now on the opposition to move beyond rhetoric and present a credible alternative for sustaining prosperity – or risk being left on the sidelines of a booming Guyana.