PRESIDENT David Granger has urged all Members of Parliament (MPs) of the APNU+AFC coalition to continue to work hard in the interest of the nation.The President made the statement during a meeting on Wednesday morning at the Ministry of the Presidency. He charged the MPs to stay on course to ensure that the people of Guyana have maximum benefits.

The coalition, the President said, is bigger than party and individual politicians, and he accordingly urged all MPs to “take their responsibility to the people of Guyana seriously,” a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency quoted him as saying.

The Head of State added that each member must work hard to make the coalition work for the people over the next five years and beyond.

After winning the 2015 General Elections, the six-party coalition will, as a single unit, be contesting the first Local Government Elections (LGEs) held here since 1994. The President, who views the winning of the May 2015 Elections as an opportunity to change Guyana’s trajectory, reiterated his commitment to ensuring that LGEs are held every three years, as is constitutionally required, so that Guyanese are actively involved in governance.

“This is a transformational event in Guyana’s political history, and we have to make it work; we have to do everything possible to demonstrate to the Guyanese people that this is the form of government that could deliver to them that good life. It is not just a temporary electoral expedient, it is the way of the future. It is an inclusionary process that will give every community in Guyana — hinterland or coastland –, of every ethnicity, of every religious group, of every social class an opportunity to have their voice heard,” President Granger said.

Meanwhile, President Granger reminded the parliamentarians that the presentation of the 2016 Budget is less than one month away. He emphasised the need for them to engage in national consultations to ensure the needs of the people are adequately addressed.

“We have to meet them; we have to find out what their needs are, particularly now at this time of year when, a month from now, we will present our second Budget. That Budget has to be reflective of the needs of our people for development. That can only be truly reflective if there is a process of consultation with the people, and (we get) a representation of their views,” President Granger said.

Minister of Public Security and leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that while difficulties and challenges will face the coalition, those must be overcome for a continued “unity of purpose”, the Ministry of the Presidency has stated.