High level APNU/PPP teams discuss LGE in AFC’s absence
President Donald Ramotar and Leader of the Opposition, David Granger.
[www.inewsguyana.com] – A high level team from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) met yesterday, Monday October 20, with the aim of advancing talks on the long awaited Local Government Elections (LGE).
A press release from the APNU detailed the meeting; however, there was no mention of the minority political Party, the Alliance for Change (AFC) being present at the meeting.
The APNU’s team was led by Brigadier David Granger and included parliamentarians Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Mr. Basil Williams, Mr. Carl Greenidge and Mr. Joseph Harmon.
The PPP/C team, led by President Donald Ramotar, comprised parliamentarians Dr Ashni Singh, Mr. Irfaan Ali, Ms. Gail Teixeira and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon.
According to the APNU, the meeting was held in the wake of the opposition’s year-long demand and public protests in support of early local government elections.
“APNU iterated its call for the President to name a date for the holding of local government elections. APNU also committed to collaborate on a process by which the President would assent to the Local Government Bill No. 12 of 2012; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013; the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Bill No. 24 of 2012 and Bill No. 5 of 2013 and the Former President (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill No. 29 of 2012,” the APNU release noted.
According to the main Opposition, the Attorney General is at present attending a Financial Action Task Force meeting in Paris and, therefore, was absent from the APNU-PPP/C meeting.
As such, the PPP/C team deferred making a decision on the Bills and on determining a date for local government elections.
excerpts from Inews
