A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) sees the building of trust among the three parliamentary parties as one of the keys in ensuring better governance of the country.
In speaking generally about its list of priorities submitted to the PPP/C and the AFC, APNU Leader David Granger said that building trust on all three sides was an issue of great importance particularly after the results of the November 28 elections. Dialogue before has often been sterile and has borne little fruit, Granger opined, while indicating it was time to change this. As it relates to administration matters, Granger said APNU would like to see the opposition parties not only being consulted about certain matters but actively involved, such as in the preparation of the budget. APNU, Granger said, is keen on creating greater confidence in public institutions. He said the partnership would like to see an Ombudsman appointed as well as the proper setting up and functioning of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. Noting that these were key institutions for persons in the society seeking redress, Granger said that the neglect of these institutions has created a sort of confidence crisis in the society.
Further, APNU, he said would be pushing for the improved management of the National Assembly and for the implementation of the Sir Michael Davies Report. Granger said that previously the PPP/C administration had been reluctant to fully implement the recommendations of this report.
“Governance in Guyana has entered into a new era,” Granger said. “We are not going back to the way it was under [Bharrat] Jagdeo,” he added. At a recent tripartite meeting, the PPP/C, APNU and AFC agreed to exchange lists of priority issues for action. On Friday, the AFC disclosed its list of priorities which included the reduction of the Value-added Tax (VAT), the raising of the income tax threshold and the review of all major government projects over the past two years among priority issues for action by the parties entering the Tenth Parliament. The party also identified several specific matters dealing with the economy, constitutional matters and security. The three parties are expected to meet today to further deliberate on the priorities identified.
