Dear Editor,
The Bartica United Youth Development Group (BUYDG) is calling on President Donald Ramotar to have his Minister of Local Government name a date for the holding of long overdue local government election (LGE) within the first quarter of 2015. In relation to the impending debate on the no-confidence motion against the government in the National Assembly, BUYDG is calling on the Alliance For Change (AFC), A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to urgently meet to sort out their differences and reach agreement on resolutions to allow general and regional elections to be held when they are constitutionally due in 2016.
Editor, the PPP/C in its 2011 campaign and in their manifesto under the theme ‘Working for a better tomorrow’ promised to have LGE one year after winning the general election, but this has not happened. LGE were last held in 1994 and have been due since 1997, since the constitution provides for them to be held every three years. It is not an option for the President and his cabinet to decide whether or not LGE should be held. Not holding these elections is a clear breach of democracy and the Constitution of Guyana, and transgresses the right of citizens to elect Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) with the councillors of their choice.
Owing to the spending by government of billions of dollars not approved by parliament the AFC is bringing its no-confidence motion in the parliament. Editor, the BUYDG is of the strong opinion that a snap election would not solve the ongoing parliamentary stalemate, since if the no-confidence motion is approved in the National Assembly, the constitution mandates that President Ramotar must call general and regional elections within ninety days. There is a possibility that a minority government could return to power at the conclusion of the elections, and should that happen what will the three parliamentary parties do? Return to parliament to continue reaching gridlocks on matters of national interest? Or will the majority opposition bring another no-confidence motion against the government? For how long more do the parties plan to use bills in parliament in a tit for tat manner? How many more millions of tax dollars do the parties plan to spend on non-productive parliamentary sittings? And how have the citizens of Guyana benefited from this 10th Parliament? For example, as it concerns the general economic development of Guyana; improving the welfare of Guyanese; seeking to move Guyana from a third world country to a modern and developed country; addressing corruption, money laundering; increasing the number of jobs; addressing poverty; and providing a better life for the youths who are the next generation, etc.
Are the AFC, APNU and PPP/C satisfied with the achievements and work they have done in this parliament?
In closing, the BUYDG is appealing to the conscience of APNU, the AFC and the PPPC/Government to put the citizens first and meet urgently, working in good faith in their interest.
Yours faithfully,
Micah Williams
General President
Bartica United Youth
Development Group
