(AFC) Key leaders of the Alliance For Change today attended a leadership retreat as part of an ongoing effort to review the party’s performance and to discuss a number of issues of concern to the party.
Principally the AFC reviewed and considered internal matters with regard to the party’s operations and structure along with its role as part of the Coalition Government of Guyana.
Also, among the matters discussed at the retreat was the issue of the appointment of a Ministerial Advisor on Business Development by the Minister of State and other revelations in the public domain.
The Alliance for Change is of the opinion that the current difficulties which the government has encountered in the continuing revelations arising out of the appointment of the Advisor on Business Development and the issues surrounding this, have their roots in the concentration of the powers of the office of the Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency and the effective Head of Presidential Secretariat in a single person.
The responsibilities of each of the above portfolios are substantial and of critical importance to the smooth operations of the Government and would benefit from separate appointments.
The Alliance for Change has mandated its leadership in Cabinet to have these issues raised and addressed as a matter of national importance.
The AFC is committed to responsible and transparent governance and looks forward to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct for government officials and the application of same.
The Alliance For Change reiterates its commitment to the Coalition Government while recognizing that the principles of good governance, transparency and equal opportunity are fundamental to the success of the Coalition.
Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry
Secondly, the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Walter Rodney should be released to his family and the party supports its early release to the public.
The AFC is of the view that the report affords the country an opportunity to address a difficult period of its history and hopes that it forms the basis for national healing and reconciliation.
Audit reports
The party is of the view that the series of audit reports into apparent irregularities in various government agencies should be supplemented by a review by experienced independent international forensic auditors and thereafter submitted to high quality external professional independent legal advice with a view to proceeding to prosecution where warranted.
