Just before leaving Guyana for a 10 day visit to the United States, President Donald Ramotar wrote Leader of the Opposition David Granger to express his willingness to meet and further discuss “matters of importance to the Guyanese people”. 

Granger last week announced that his party, A Partnership for National Unity would be starting nationwide protest action to press the government to set a date for Local Government Elections which have not been held since 1994. The Opposition Leader’s announcement of protest action came after the President ignored a September 15, 2014 deadline set by the Opposition Leader, to announce a date for the Local Government polls.

In his Saturday letter to Granger, President Ramotar said he wanted clarification about the Opposition Leader’s “insistence on matters pertaining to Local Government Elections”. He also expressed his concern over Granger expressing his concerns through the media.

“While awaiting your response, Office of the President has noted your resort to the media, where you have been reported to have agreed to commence protests in support of your demands for Local Government Elections. At the same time, the media reports your calls for meetings with my Administration on other critical issues affecting Guyana. I must, for the record, express my deep reservation about this media based communication style you have recently adopted in dealing with my Office”, President Ramotar wrote.

 He added that “there is nothing that my team and I have done to prompt you to disregard our usual format”.

 The President said he will make himself available to meet with the Opposition Leader at the earliest opportunity at the Opposition Leader’s convenience. He noted that while he will be overseas from September 20 to September 30, 2014, his team will remain on standby to facilitate the meeting.

In his first letter to Granger after the Opposition Leader wrote him demanding that he set a date for local elections, the President responded by saying that he does not need to reminded of his responsibilities as President of Guyana.

On Friday, Mr. Granger made it clear that the President and the government must no longer be allowed to flout the Constitution of Guyana and ignore the need for Local Government Elections. He said there is nothing new about his calls for Local Government polls and his party started its Local Government Elections campaign since last year.

Mr. Granger has called on Guyanese to stand up in protest and to use all lawful means to raise awareness on the need for Local Government elections and to get the attention of the government.

The International Community and a number of local organisations have called for Local Government elections and continue to press on the Government to set a date for the elections which have not been held in two decades.

Filed: 21st September, 2014. 

See President’s letter below:

President Donald Ramotar’s Letter

to Opposition Leader Mr David Granger

September 20, 2014

Mr. David Granger, MSS, MP

Leader of the Opposition

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

61 Hadfield Street

Werk-en-Rust

Georgetown

Dear Mr Granger,

I write to reiterate our continued commitment to meet with the Opposition on matters of importance to the Guyanese people.

On Thursday, September 11, 2014, I responded to your letter of September 9, 2014 and requested clarification about your insistence on matters pertaining to the Local Government Elections.

While awaiting your response, Office of the President has noted your resort to the media, where you have been reported to have agreed to commence protests in support of your demands for Local Government Elections.

At the same time, the media reports your calls for meetings with my Administration on other critical issues affecting Guyana.

I must, for the record, express my deep reservation about this media based communication style you have recently adopted in dealing with my Office.

There is nothing that my team and I have done to prompt you to disregard our usual format.

As such, I again extend to you an opportunity at your convenience to meet on these critical issues.

I would be overseas at the annual United Nations General Assembly from Saturday, September 20, 2014 to Tuesday, September 30, 2014, during which time my team will remain on standby.

Yours sincerely,

Donald Ramotar

President

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