Business support groups, the GCCI and the GMSA on Monday added to the continuing clamour of concern over President David Granger’s unilateral naming of a Chairman of GECOM last Thursday.
Both the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) expressed concern over the impact of the economy on the decision.
GCCI said that it was disappointed at Granger’s action.
“The Chamber views the departure from established protocols agreed to by both parties in the Carter-Price formula and the provisions enshrined in our Constitution under article 161 (2) for the appointment of the Chairman as unfortunate
“These developments will no doubt add to the slowdown of the economy and further loss of investors’ confidence in Guyana.
“The current political dilemma will only add and deepen the division in Guyana and will negatively affect our fledgling democracy”, the Chamber said.
In its statement, the GMSA expressed concern over the situation.
The GMSA said it was hopeful that the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM would have continued in an open and transparent manner, in accordance with the Constitution and practice but this did not happen.
It said that the current impasse is unhealthy and could threaten “our fledgling democracy and could have adverse impacts on economic activities”.
On Saturday, the umbrella business body, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said it believed President Granger’s decision to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of the Guyana Elections a threat to democracy and has the potential to divide the nation and destabilise the economy.
“The decision of the President to act unilaterally and independently of the submissions of the Leader of the Opposition poses a clear threat to democracy and will inevitably divide the nation and lead to economic instability. It is a dangerous decision,” the PSC said in a brief statement.
