LCDS consultations a sham by administration

Oct 12, 2009 News

– PNCR
The Peoples National Congress reform (PNCR) has viewed, with skepticism, the intentions of the Bharrat Jagdeo regime to engage in consultation on Avoided Deforestation and their now well-touted, Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

PNCR Leader Robert Corbin

This is according to PNCR Member of Parliament, Keith Scott, during the party’s most recent press briefing. Media operatives were told that it is obvious from their track record that the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) cannot be trusted to undertake any serious consultations with the citizens of Guyana.
As such, he deemed the LCDS approach as yet another example of the type of deception that Guyanese have become accustomed to.
According to Scott, an informed and knowledgeable citizenry is necessary for the development of a democratic culture and when citizens are armed with the relevant information, they can make decisions, which can improve their lives and the society in which they live.
“Clearly, the PPP/C Administration does not agree with this proposition…In the modern world, it is routine for Governments to allow their citizens access to information from multiple sources so that they can understand what is going on in their own backyard and the rest of the world.”
He said that the PPP/C administration has unashamedly limited the access of Guyanese to information by maintaining a radio monopoly and limiting access to the state media and ensuring that freedom of information remains a pipe dream.
“The promised Freedom of Information (FOI) Act remains another unfulfilled promise.”
Meanwhile, Party Leader Robert Corbin also told media operatives that the consultations held were a sham on the part of the Jagdeo administration.
As it relates to any fund that Guyana would benefit from in light of Venezuela’s claim to a large section of Guyana, Corbin said that they did not recognise such a claim.
He said that the LCDS was an attempt by Jagdeo to finance an economy that is struggling and latching onto the current topic of protecting the environment.
“We are not impressed by the Jagdeo administration approach to the LCDS, particularly from the point of view of their track record of the use of resources garnered for the people of Guyana.”
Corbin promised a more in depth briefing on the LCDS at a later date.