President David Granger and senior APNU+AFC figures yesterday committed to making the governing coalition work and a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said that the alliance will continue at the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE).
There is yet to be an official announcement by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) that they will be contesting the LGE – the first since 1994 – together.
The release said that during a meeting with coalition Members of Parliament yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger said that the “APNU+AFC Coalition is bigger than Party and individual politicians and urged them to continue to take their responsibility to the people of Guyana seriously”. The Head of State admonished that each member must work hard to make the coalition work for the people over the next five years and beyond.
The release said that Granger, also the leader of APNU and its key constituent, the PNCR, used the opportunity to restate his commitment to ensuring that LGEs are held every three years as constitutionally mandated, to “ensure that the people of Guyana are actively involved in the governing of the country”. This would mean that the subsequent election would be held sometime in 2019, a year before the next scheduled general election.
Adverting to the results of the 2015 general election, Granger said, “This is a transformational event in Guyana’s political history and we have to make it work. We have to do everything possible to demonstrate to the Guyanese people that this is the form of Government that could deliver to them that good life. It is not just a temporary electoral expedient… it is the way of the future. It is an inclusionary process that will give every community in Guyana, hinterland or coastland; of every ethnicity, of every religious group, of every social class and opportunity to have their voice heard.” Noting that the Government is a month away from delivering the 2016 Budget, Granger called on the members of Parliament to continue to engage in a process of national consultation so that the needs of the people can be adequately dealt with.
“We have to meet them. We have to find out what their needs are, particularly now at this time of year when a month from now we will present our second budget. That budget has to be reflective of the needs of our people for development. That can only be truly reflective if there is a process of consultation with the people and a representation of their views”, he was quoted as saying.
Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan also spoke at the meeting. Ramjattan, also the leader of the AFC, said that while there will be difficulties and challenges for the Coalition, these must be overcome and called for a continued “unity of purpose”.
