Latest update February 13th, 2025 1:56 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

I keep saying; APNU+AFC is repeating the mistakes of the PPP

Jan 03, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Having observed PPP/C Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall’s letter “The Government’s consultation is cosmetological” (KN December 29, 2016) in speaking to issues of governance, including referencing Article 13 and 38A in the Guyana Constitution, those who have read it can definitively conclude that the PPP/C when in government knew what was right.
Nandlall served as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister during the Donald Ramotar administration, and this nation must no longer be in doubt that the positions he articulated were known to that administration, yet in many instances it operated contrary. As legal adviser to the PPP/C government had he insisted on enforcing the Constitution, including taking recognition of feedback to Bills brought before the public and National Assembly, the processes of consultation and inclusionary democracy would have been advanced.
In principle there is agreement with the position that the APNU+AFC administration should be receptive to feedback from the public and Opposition Members in the National Assembly. The principle is guided by two factors: i) none has the monopoly on ideas and knowledge and when persons ignore listening to diverse views the nation is robbed the benefit that comes from such engagement; and ii) it is a constitutional requirement. The Principal Objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy (Article 13 of the Constitution).
The criticisms of the APNU and AFC when in opposition that the PPP/C government treated them with contempt, ignored their voices/input in governance, and trampled on the tenets of the Constitution were well deserved. Having condemned the PPP/C for not upholding the constitution the APNU+AFC government has a greater responsibility to uphold this supreme instrument. Additionally respect for this instrument formed an important component in the APNU+AFC elections campaign.
A nation that has suffered through alienation and petty divisive politics rallied behind the APNU+AFC and gave them the mandate on 11th May 2015 not only to manage the business of the state but also to avoid repeating the wrongs of PPP/C governments.
The growth and development of this nation are reliant on maturity, will and commitment from its political leadership. This would see respect for the people and their institutions established to manage their business. The people cannot continue living in an environment of zero-sum politics and unaccountable governance. This nation has had enough of leaders who say one thing when in opposition and do the opposite when in office.
The APNU+AFC government must stop repeating the mistakes of the PPP/C government. And the PPP/C opposition, if serious about making Articles 13 and 38A real, should now develop Bills to be placed in the National Assembly to put laws in place. Article 171 (1) of the Guyana Constitution makes provision for any member of the National Assembly to introduce any Bill, propose any motion or present any petition.
Lincoln Lewis

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Eagles survive shaky start on Rain-affected opening day

Eagles survive shaky start on Rain-affected opening day

Feb 13, 2025

2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 3… -GHE (1st innings 87-4) Blades 3-15 Kaieteur Sports-Guyana Harpy Eagles were put on the back-foot early thanks to rain, coupled with a fiery spell...
Read More
TCL hand over trophies for Mashramani Street Football Championships Final

TCL hand over trophies for Mashramani Street...

Feb 13, 2025

Nagassar was re-elected as President of GCUC

Nagassar was re-elected as President of GCUC

Feb 13, 2025

Herstelling and Eccles SC chalk up wins in latest EBDCA/D&R Construction 40-over fixtures

Herstelling and Eccles SC chalk up wins in latest...

Feb 13, 2025

Golden Jaguars CONCACAF home match against Guatemala relocated to Barbados

Golden Jaguars CONCACAF home match against...

Feb 13, 2025

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport endorses Mashramani Street Football Championships

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport endorses...

Feb 12, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]