Mixed New Year’s messages from parties…Ramotar prepared for discussions, AFC wants “skeletons” confronted

Jan 03, 2013 News

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– Granger wants 2013 dedicated to youths

The year 2012 has drawn to a close but it will go down as one not to be easily forgotten when the history books are written.
Not only were the Opposition and Government grappling to deal with new realities of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) not having a majority after two decades in office, but the courts were tested to the limits over decisions in Parliament.
Despite all the internal turmoil, the country still managed to record a four per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP). It will be the seventh consecutive year that Guyana has seen positive growth.

In his New Year’s message, President Donald Ramotar made it clear that the performance would come in the face of the global economic crisis.
“We have managed the economy very well and have made progress in continuing to expand our economic base.”
He noted that although Guyana is a “small, vulnerable economy”, its policies have allowed the economy to remain resilient to the external challenges that we face.
The President made particular mention of education as a high point. “We have achieved universal primary education, we are well on our way to achieving universal secondary education and more of our young people are accessing tertiary and university education than ever before.  Our children who wrote the CXC examinations have once more captured most of the awards, given by the Caribbean examination and certification board.”
Regarding a specialty hospital to be built at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, this year construction will begin, the Head of State said.
“Our housing programme has helped to fulfill the dreams of many to own their own homes.  We will continue to seek more innovative ways to help more of our people to experience the security of having their own roof over their heads.”

Regrets/Compromise
Regarding the problems in Parliament, Ramotar expressed regret. “I had hoped that with the new configuration in Parliament that we would have had more cooperation and engagement. In fact, I was quite hopeful and had mentioned in my swearing in speech my willingness to work with the other political parties in Parliament. Unfortunately, this was not to be.
Instead, what all of us have observed is that the National Assembly was transformed into an arena where the main objective and obsession of the opposition was to score partisan political points counter to our national interests.”
He bemoaned what was described as “unconstitutional motions” being regularly taken to Parliament.
“In defence of the rule of law and the Constitution, we have had to resort to going to the Courts.

In fact it is these same misguided positions and actions that led to some citizens being harassed and abused in Agricola and the unfortunate loss of lives in Linden.”
But all is not lost, the President said.
“Clearly we need more dialogue and discussions in our society.  History has shown that a nation’s all round progress is always enhanced when honest debates, dialogue and compromise are the tools used in the body politic. While the government has been willing and has moved even more than halfway to meet the opposition and compromise, we have not seen that same willingness from the other sides.”
He urged the opposition to “reconsider” its positions and “recommit” itself to the development of Guyana.
Despite a no-confidence motion and the Opposition’s continued refusal to acknowledge the presence of Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee in Parliament, Ramotar remained positive in his message for how 2013 will unfold.
“This New Year, 2013 promises to be a very exciting year for us.  We hope to carry forward the major projects all of which have the potential to accelerate our growth rate.  We intend to continue to invest in our people.  We are working to construct new schools in the interior to ensure that all of our children, no matter where they are have a chance at a secondary education.”
This year, too, government’s fibre-optic cable is to become operational with internet services to be extended right across the coastland and the interior.
“It is our expectation that this will create IT jobs not only in the centre at Georgetown but from Charity to Moleson Creek and into our interior. All of these initiatives will make steady advances towards a modern economy and society.”

Year of the Youth
Meanwhile, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, Leader of the A Partnership For National Unity, believed that Guyana’s future, in 2013 lies in the hands of youths.  APNU holds 26 seats in the National Assembly. Together with the other opposition, Alliance For Change (AFC), the opposition holds a commanding one-seat voting majority.
“Young people today constitute 70 per cent of our prison population. They are the majority of our poor and unemployed. They are our street children and child labourers who are being robbed of a bright future. They deserve better.”
A former army head, Granger wanted 2013 to be one in which fewer youths become victims of crime or are forced to grow up in hunger, poverty, on the street or in jail.

“Guyana’s ‘Year for Youth’ must be one in which our young people can be educated in well-equipped and well-staffed schools; in which the high rate of dropouts from primary and secondary schools is reduced; in which young school-leavers can expect to be employed and in which the high rate of migration of educated graduates is lowered.”
The AFC, too, regretted 2012, which did not deliver as was expected. But the party was not to be blamed.
“The year started with much promise as new era seemed within our grasp. We actually dared to hope that finally a new day of inclusion, equal opportunity and justice would dawn on this country of ours. But as the months passed and the time flew by, it seemed as if day clean was just beyond our reach. There have been varied opinions on what we as a country have achieved this year.”

Confront the skeletons
The AFC, whose former leader, Raphael Trotman, was elected Speaker of the National Assembly, the first for the Opposition since the PPP/C took power in 1992, was alarmed over the country’s handling of law enforcement in 2012.
Of especial concern was the country’s fight against corruption or accountability.
“In addition, far too many of our citizens were gunned down at the hands of the state. Citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest paid the ultimate price for exercising that right. Young men were executed by law enforcement officers, while those in whose charge who we placed the responsibility to protect and serve seemed to be only interested in protecting and serving themselves.”
The AFC said that the past year witnessed unprecedented declaration of hostilities between the Executive and Legislature. “Where there was hope it was rapidly replaced by disappointment and resignation. Our farmers and other wealth creators continued to be mistreated and taken for granted. And typically in our own inimical style we spent an awful lot of time casting blame and apportioning guilt rather than walking together towards the sunshine of justice, equality and equally shared prosperity.”
AFC believes that until Guyana is prepared to confront the skeletons which constantly challenge the rule of law, address and resolve the differences which separate and divide the country as a nation, it will continue to condemn itself to a less than just and fair society.
AFC hoped that 2013 will address aspects of the constitution that require its most urgent attention and best efforts to ensure that everyone is afforded a fair and equal place in the decision-making arms of the state, including the executive.”

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