The Private Sector Commission has come up with what it hopes is an Agreement that will bring an end to the current political impasse in the country.

News Source has obtained a draft of the Agreement that is expected to be sent to the President, Opposition Leader and APNU Leader David Granger and AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Agreement was reportedly formalised after the PSC held consultations with some of its partners including the Inter Religious Organisation, the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana.

The Agreement seeks to get the President to end the Prorogation of Parliament and the Opposition to put a hold on the no confidence motion.

Political observers have said that it will not be surprising if the Opposition parties ignore and refuse to sign onto the PSC Agreement since it offers nothing for them.

President Ramotar has indicated that he will address the political situation in the country on Saturday at a media briefing. The President prorogued the parliament three weeks ago to prevent a no confidence motion against his government. He has been heavily criticised for the move.

(Filed 4th December, 2014)

SEE DRAFT PSC AGREEMENT BELOW

The Private Sector Commission after consulting with various Civil Society organizations such as representatives of Labour and Religion is pleased to propose the following as a solution to our current parliamentary impasse:

1. Guyana our beloved country, a land with a people of diverse culture and bestowed with many natural resources, continues to encounter challenges in its path to development as the governance architecture is not effective in equitably meeting the needs of all stakeholders
2. Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana states that: The principal objective of the political system of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organizations in the management and decision making processes of the state, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision making that directly affect their wellbeing.
3. The 10th Parliament, elected in a free and fair general elections on November 28, 2011, is the first since our independence to be constituted as one where the opposition parties occupy the majority and the Government sits in minority. It must be accepted by all that this is the mandate given by the electorate. This created an opportunity for the needs of both minority and majority stakeholders to be adequately represented and solutions negotiated for the benefit of all the citizens of Guyana. On the contrary, the opportunity is being squandered by standoffs and deadlocks to the detriment of all stakeholders.
4. We share the view that there is still room for the life of the 10th Parliament to be preserved once the prorogation comes to an end and the no confidence motion is stayed to make room for a meaningful attempt to dialogue on the important issues that will persist even after elections are held.
5. Consultations with political parties have revealed that they are willing to engage in dialogue but the Opposition parties will only agree to participate in dialogue if Parliament is reconvened.
6. It is our recommendation that the President considers bringing an end to the prorogation as soon as is practical but no later than December 31, 2014.
7. We also recommend that the political parties agree to a moratorium of one month after the end of prorogation to facilitate such dialogue before any consideration is given to the dissolution of Parliament or the passing of the no confidence motion. Such a commitment can be made by signing the attached declaration in Appendix 1.
8. We further requests that our representatives of Civil Society be included as observers to any dialogue process agreed upon so that we could be kept meaningfully informed as to the agreements and commitments by all parties in pursuing the interests of those they represent and hold each accountable for the delivery of results.
9. In the interest of time and as a show of good faith on all sides during the one month period of moratorium we propose the following agenda for talks within that period:
10. The composition and implementation of all outstanding commissions required by the Constitution.
11. Agreement on a date for Local Government Elections some time before the life of the 10th Parliament comes to an end.
12. Mechanism by which the bills not receiving assent can be resolved.
13. Mechanism for approval of 2014 supplementary financial papers and statements of excess.
14. An inclusionary mechanism for budget talks of 2015 and 2016. This could be a meaningful start on forming a longer term agreement on Guyana’s Economic Development Agenda.

The above may be sufficient to salvage the life of the 10th Parliament where previous items on the Parliamentary agenda can be resuscitated including the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, the Telecommunications Bill, the Education Bills etc.

Looking forward to your response on these recommendations.

Yours Faithfully,

Ramesh Persaud

Chairman

APPENDIX 1

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

DECLARATION

Made on December __, 2014

We the representatives of the Parliamentary Political Parties hereby agree to the following:

1. That the prorogation of Parliament will be ended and the work of the National Assembly be reconvened no later than December 31, 2014.
2. That a moratorium of one month commencing from January 01, 2015 and ending on January 31, 2015 will be taken to give room for dialogue to be attempted before consideration is given to the dissolution of Parliament or the motion on confidence.
3. Representatives of Civil Society will be allowed to observe the dialogue process in full once commenced during this period.

Agreed to by:

_______________________________

H.E. Donald Ramotar

President

_______________________________

Brig.(rtd) David Granger

Leader of the Opposition

_______________________________

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan

Leader – Alliance for Change

In the Presence of:

_____________________ _________________ ___________

Private Sector     Labour     Religion

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