SIMILARLY, as had been done at the Port-of -Spain held Summit of the Americas, it was done during the current UNASUR conference: the Alliance For Change has taken to printing an ad in their favourite news piece, the Kaieteur News, alleging the administration’s failure to deal with twelve issues ranging from the Freedom of Information Bill to Maternal Deaths. Indeed, the issues stated have been contentious ones, aired both in Parliament and in the public domain, and have also been the subject of discussions between the PPP/C administration and the opposition PNCR.
But a digression here, with specific reference to the ad’s bi-line captioned “Democracy is failing. A health check is needed”.
First of all, since the AFC party, in  conjunction with the other opposition parties, has always accused the PPP/C government of being undemocratic, then it is interesting , even quite contradictory, that the first sentence of the  caption, by its very wording suggests the fact of  actual democracy. How can it be failing when it is said not to be present? Get the point?
To the best of my knowledge, all of the listed are at various stages of deliberation, because of their contentious nature, and it is quite certain that there will be conclusions, particularly on the issues of the bauxite workers impasse, Broadcast Legislation and the Freedom of Information Legislation.
Now for a response to the point of: “Deliberate neglect of the sugar industry leading to its collapse.”
What a bold faced, filthy piece of dirty lies! Not even a first form student, if informed daily as to the current national issues will accept this scandalous statement.
The sugar industry particularly has been the recipient of the administration’s undivided and bountiful attention, because of its pivotal role in the nation’s economy, and its social implications as a major employer. From the onset of the EU’s announcement of quota cuts and the need for future ACP production to be cost efficient, the PPP/C government responded with the massive multi-billion dollar Skeldon project, rather than shut shop, like Jamaica and Trinidad, did. Yes, there are grave problems, but surely not due to neglect, as stated. Political differences must not mean descending to scandalous lies. This party and its leadership has just finished praising the late PNCR’s Winston Murray as an honest politician. I hope that they begin to practise his virtues!   
About “Maternal deaths reaching frightening proportions”; Yes, the situation is indeed of very grave national concern, but to infer that it is being allowed to become uncontrollable is totally inaccurate, especially when there have been cabinet subcommittee meetings with the principals involved, and even a cabinet meeting where the principal sector minister was reportedly criticised for the unavailability of maternal records. There was even a recent seminar conducted by some North American doctors on the safe delivery of babies. The current protocols are being reviewed in order to effect the necessary safeguards.
If the AFC wants to present/complain about issues, then it must do so in an objective manner.