Harmon ready to begin conversations with Government on ethnic and other national issues

Mr. Harmon said the ethnic issues facing the country must be confronted by way of a national dialogue. To this end, he pledged his unwavering support to the Ethnic Relations Commission and its work.

Harmon ready to begin conversations with Government on ethnic and other national issues

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon announced today that he is ready to kick start conversations with the government on ethnic and other issues which have been plaguing the Guyanese society since the country went to the polls one year ago.

Mr. Harmon said the ethnic issues facing the country must be confronted by way of a national dialogue. To this end, he pledged his unwavering support to the Ethnic Relations Commission and its work.

Admitting that the Commission can do more, the Opposition leader said he believes that political and other support must be given to the ERC, but at the same time, its independence must be maintained.

He pointed out that the political will to resolve the ethnic issues, is in the best interest of the country and must be demonstrated now.

“I must say Mr. speaker, the APNU+AFC is ready to act, we are ready to act. Mr. Speaker the APNU+AFC is crystal clear when it comes to this matter, not just in rhetoric but in action in everything that we do”, the Opposition leader said.

Mr. Harmon acknowledged that ethnic tensions exist, but said those in charge must show the will to address such issues when they are manifested.

“I would be satisfied if there was a genuine effort to give effect to our oneness. Unfortunately, oneness seems to be an aspiration of President Ali. We see no financial allocation in the budget to give effect to this oneness as a programme. President Ali, don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk.” Mr. Harmon charged.

Consultations

The Opposition Leader said if the government is serious about working together then it should also be serious about consulting stakeholders. Mr. Harmon said consultations will reinforce the resilience within the population as it will show that their issues are being heard and addressed from all sides.

“Mr. Speaker there was no consultation with the Opposition in the formulation of this budget and so it is deficient, it is defective, and it is disastrous in many years.” Mr. Harmon said.

While the Government refused to engage the APNU+AFC which has 31 seats in the National Assembly on the budget, it held a brief session with small parties.

Mr. Harmon said the President must recognize that the only way to move the country forward is by meaningful consultation.

“The constitution sets no precondition for consultations, between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, in Article 127, Article 161, Article 191, Article 198, Article 200, Article 207, Article 210 and Article 212, none of them sets any preconditions for consultations”, he pointed out.

Harmon reminded that he has made clear that he is prepared to cooperate with the President on issues such as security, national sovereignty, public health, and other areas which the opposition deems to be in the public’s interest.

“We have reached out, even in an environment where the results of the election, which installed the Irfan Ali regime are the subject of two petitions before the Court. This intransigence is weighing the patience of citizens thin and can only lead to self-destruction, the Opposition Leader noted.

Harmon’s contribution to the budget debate wrapped up the Opposition’s arguments on the debate.

The APNU+AFC has accused the government of not doing enough to assist persons affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the budget. The Opposition has made it clear that it cannot offer its full support to the budget.

The PPP Government has a 1 seat majority in the 65 member parliament.

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