Georgetown, Guyana – Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. David Hinds has questioned the PPP/C government’s expanding role in commercial activity, arguing that it is increasingly blurring the line between the state as regulator and provider, and the state as a market competitor.

Hinds’ comments come amid debate over Guyana Water Incorporated’s entry into bottled water production. He maintained that water is a public good and that the government’s primary responsibility should remain the delivery of safe, reliable water through the public system.

“Water is a common good, and so the distribution of water should be first and foremost socialized,” Hinds said. “We are moving from socialized water distribution as a common good to water now as a profit-making venture, and that goes against a cardinal function of government.”