The Alliance For Change (AFC) says it stands ready to pursue its parliamentary agenda and called on the public to support its reform initiatives as it shapes a united Guyana.
In a press release the AFC said this new year “will not be an easy one” despite the government’s claims that Guyana will not be affected by the global financial crisis. The party said it has already affected many persons in some measure and as such the nation “will also have to face the reality that crime will continue to rise, and because of the ineptitude of this administration, discrimination, maladministration, victimization, and even more floods and damage to property will be visited upon many.”
The AFC also recalled the killings at Lusignan and Bartica, and the aftermath which saw communities such as Buxton suffering the ignominy of having their village besieged and their crops and property destroyed. “Allegations of torture and brutality, and “roughing-up” became commonplace in the daily lexicon, as the administration unmindful of their greater responsibility to uphold the law and rights of citizens, pursued those they deemed responsible for these criminal acts,” it said. The party contends too that to date the public still awaits an explanation or evidence about what occurred at Lindo Creek where eight persons were murdered. It also said it is concerned about the introduction and passage of laws which can only be described as repressive. In the light of this, the AFC vows to continue to fight for social justice and equality for all; to ensure that the rule of law “is not only written in books, but known, understood and upheld by all” and to ensure that the nation is properly educated and “enjoys the right to know and access information from every and any medium of their choice.” It said too it will take steps to ensure that the security forces regain the respect they deserve by first ensuring that they themselves respect the law and fulfil their mandate. The party said it will also fight to ensure that the rights of workers are respected and they can enjoy better wages and working conditions and that money approved in the national budget is not squandered and stolen but applied sensibly so that the nation benefits directly through better social programmes including housing, roads, drainage, security, education and economic relief to farmers and others suffering from disasters such as flooding.
Additionally, the party said it intends to continue its political agenda as stated in its parliamentary agenda. It will pursue the Freedom of Information Bill, the establishment of all Rights Commissions, a reduction of the Value –Added Tax; the strengthening of the business and farming communities and the restoration of a vibrant and independent civil society. The AFC said it will also focus on the welfare of youth “who continue to drift in a sea of hopelessness and despair, and the poor, elderly and downtrodden.”
The party said the nation’s expectations that this new year will be better than the last will not come about unless a process of reformation is started in every household, street, community, village and town. It said too it intends to use every resource to create a united and prosperous Guyana.
