The Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have reacted sharply to President Donald Ramotar’s assertion that the Opposition had no place in the crafting of the National Budget and should be involved in consultations only.
Ramotar at a press conference on Friday said that opposition involvement in crafting the national budget will not go beyond consultations and insisted that it is his administration’s exclusive responsibility.
“I have offered them [APNU and AFC] consultations. They both agreed that they would send their persons to the Ministry of Finance to consult with [Minister of Finance Dr Ashni] Singh. As far as I am aware they have not done so but I have no intention of abdicating the responsibility of the government. This [budget] is government’s responsibility not Mr [David] Granger’s,” Ramotar told reporters at the Office of the President.
Speaking to this newspaper, Vice Chairman of APNU