President Donald Ramotar and opposition leader David Granger yesterday met to discuss ways to avoid future gridlock and to develop a conflict-free approach to governance.
“We discussed the long-term development of the country and the role the various political parties—the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Party for National Unity (APNU)—in this development,” Granger said after the meeting, which took place yesterday afternoon.
He told Stabroek News that there was no set agenda for the meeting with Ramotar, but added that the discussion was focused on “paving the way forward on governance in Guyana.”
Granger noted the recent instances of conflict and gridlock between government and the joint opposition, and said that the meeting was held with hopes of avoiding the conflicts which have been seen in recent sittings of the National Assembly.
Such conflict between government and the opposition parties were seen in their recent deliberations on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill. Government failed to get opposition support for the swift passage of the amendments and said that this had put the country at risk of severe repercussions from financial blacklisting. The opposition, on the other hand, has blamed the government for the delays associated with the amendment process.
There was also acrimony during the consideration of the budget estimates, which saw opposition-led cuts that led to bitter complaints from the administration, which said the cuts have jeopardised key national projects and investment in the country.
Granger stated that he expects yesterday’s meeting to be the first of a series of meetings between government and APNU. He also said that Ramotar may also have intention with meeting with the AFC.
The meeting also comes in wake of the president’s call in his Independence Day message for conditions to be created to improve political trust, which he says is necessary to bridge differences and move the country nearer to its goals.
“…I appeal to our political leaders to join me in creating conditions of improved political trust that would allow us to work together, in spite of our differences, to build this country of ours and to make it truly great so that we can take a bigger part in resolving regional and global issues,” Ramotar declared in his address to mark the country’s 47th independence anniversary.
“I believe that at this time when our economy is doing better, we are well positioned to move closer towards achieving this vision. We should not let this moment pass; we should not squander this opportunity. I implore all of our political leaders to join me in working to build a grand future for all of our people,” he said.
Ramotar also acknowledged that there will be differences of opinions and approaches to various issues in any society, but added that these should not be used as a roadblock to stymie progress or jeopardise the country’s standing nationally, regionally or internationally—a reference to the administration’s failure to win opposition support for the swift passage of amendments to the anti-money laundering laws.
