Dear Editor,
The Office of the Prime Minister has noted your newspaper’s editorial of August 23, 2020 and wishes to offer the following response.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic government has and continues to be amenable to criticisms especially those that are intended to be constructive. The government is of the firm view that criticisms not only provide opportunities to be enlightened on the impact of its programmes and policies, but are useful in the consideration of interventions where necessary.
Further, this government has always valued and respected the work of the media even if it may disagree on positions taken. In welcoming criticisms, you would agree there is a need to address areas where there may be misguided notions about the PPP/C government and, in this case, the Prime Minister.
That said, prior to Brigadier (R’td) Mark Phillips’s election and official appointment as Prime Minister, he campaigned for the PPP/C, consciously so and as part of a committed and trusted team to advance the welfare and development of all the people of our country. The Office of the Prime Minister is sure that the Stabroek News is not unaware of the magnitude of the responsibilities that he has been entrusted with.
To begin with The Prime Minis-ter’s role as the leader of Govern-ment Business in the National Assembly, must be seen in addition to him being responsible for (Minis-ter of) the Telecommunications sector that includes the Telecommunica-tions Agency, (an expansion of the formerly known National Frequency Management Unit – NFMU), National Data Management Autho-rity (NDMA), Public Utilities Com-mission (PUC), and the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). The Office of Prime Minister is also now responsible for the Energy Sector, exercising oversight of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc, (HECI), as well as the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA).
The Prime Minister also has oversight of the Government Information Sector comprising the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), and the National Communications Network (NCN). This heavy portfolio is in stark contrast to his predecessor who was only responsible for the information sector.
Minister Kwame McKoy, as Minister of Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister, performs a key role in assisting in the coordination of government information activities. He is a competent, trusted and valued member of the Prime Minister’s team and is instrumental in assisting in providing policy direction to the information agency.
The Office of the Prime Minister wishes to reiterate the PPP/C government’s commitment to inclusiveness. This is very evident from, just three weeks in its term, it has brought on board persons from other political parties. While it has a proven track record of its ability to govern in the best interest of Guyana and Guyanese and to transform the country through modernization and unprecedented development of the physical and social infrastructure, it does not in any way profess to be the absolute reservoir of skills and knowledge. The inclusion of other political players, including from among the leadership of the People’s National Congress, therefore could not be a promotion of a patina of inclusiveness as inferred.
On the issue of trust as articulated in the editorial, such pronouncements could not have been derived following an examination of facts. It is common knowledge that both administrations have had Ministers, aside from the lead, serving within Ministries. From the PPP/C government’s standpoint, it is a proven and effective mechanism to maximize capacity and skillsets to meet the growing demands of the sectors in question. With the country on the cusp of an oil and gas economy and with growing attention and interest from the international community, these collective capacities and skillsets become even more pertinent.
His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of this Republic, has pellucidly stated his government’s approach to national healing, to build a country that is cemented in unity, to try and derive a political way forward to realize the intent of our national motto and to prevent a repeat of efforts to thwart democratic principles glaringly evident during the five-month period it took for the March 02 elections declarations to be made. This approach is premised in inclusivity.
The Office of the Prime Minister assures all, including the Stabroek News that points raised in the editorial in question are duly noted and looks forward to meaningful engagements with the media over its tenure.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Gordon
Ministry of Public Affairs in
the Office of the Prime Minister
