PPP/C’s absence at public forum…Air conditioning and space was never an issue - Organizers

PPP/C’s absence at public forum…Air conditioning and space was never an issue – Organizers

Apr 17, 2015 News

Organizers of the Public forum and Alliance for Change (AFC) executive member Cathy Hughes have rubbished claims that air conditioning was an issue during Monday’s public forum, in response to correspondence from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) camp that they postponed their participation because of air conditioning and space.
The coalition, represented by Presidential candidate David Granger and Hughes, had faced the public’s questions on their plans for Guyana on Monday last, at the Theatre Guild playhouse with the understanding that President Donald Ramotar and Prime ministerial hopeful Elizabeth Harper would have their turn on Wednesday at the same location.
However the PPP/C called for the postponement of their meeting, because of issues with space and the air conditioning at the venue.
The forum, which was organized by the Guyana Women’s Roundtable (GWR) and Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), was arranged so that parties contesting the General and Regional Elections could address public issues related to women’s rights and youth development.
Yesterday, when this newspaper made contact with the founder of the GWR, Dr. Dawn Stewart, she stated that there has still been no word from the PPP/C to the organizers on a new date for the public forum. She, however, expressed optimism that they will hear from the PPP/C in the next couple of days on a new date.
According to her, neither air conditioning nor space were issues that affected the holding of the public forum. She stated that the facility had a capacity to seat 350, in addition to having balcony seats.
When this newspaper made contact with Hughes yesterday, she expressed disappointment at the overall turn of events, since her party would have faced the public’s questions in an open forum on their planned initiatives on Monday.
“It is disappointing to the organizations who would have organized the event. It is disappointing to civil society who turned out in their numbers on Monday. We used the same facility. The air conditioning could have been a bit cooler, but I don’t think it was a deterrent.”
Stating that her party wants to run a campaign based on issues, she expressed the hope that the PPP/C does indeed reschedule the meeting.
“If they say they will reschedule, I hope they will do so. I will hold them to their word.”
During the forum, APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger had touched on concerns raised by civil society regarding the inefficiency of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). In response, the presidential candidate had laid out plans for the revamping of the NIS, which he referred to as a “service cow” that had been used to “provide financial milk to the regime”.
The inauguration of a Tax Reform Commission was also discussed, as well as the increase of income tax, thereby decreasing PAYE and Value Added Tax (VAT). He also spoke about the coalition reducing the tariffs on used vehicles if elected.
The Public forums were viewed as a compromise after the planned presidential debates did not materialize, owing to the unfulfilled demands from the opposition for a prime ministerial debate as well.

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PPP/C’s absence at public forum…Air conditioning and space was never an issue – Organizers

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