APNU expresses concerns over State Boards appointments
A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) yesterday expressed concern over recent statements by government ministers on the re-appointments to State Boards.
At a press conference in the party’s Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown headquarters, APNU spokeswoman Annette Ferguson said their concerns surround the Boards of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), in particular.
“The appointment of State Boards provides an early test of President Donald Ramotar’s publicly stated intention to embrace the principles of inclusion and broad consultation in managing the affairs of the nation.
“In addition, the PPP is a signatory, under the 1998 Political Dialogue with the then main Opposition, the PNCR, to an agreement that sets out several guiding principles with regards to the appointment and composition of State Boards, Commissions and Committees.
“One guiding principle is that these bodies should have a tripartite representation, namely the government, the body politic and civil society. Under all the existing circumstances, APNU expects the government to desist from any unilateral action on this matter and to formally engage the opposition parties and civil society in the re-appointment of boards.
“This is a matter the government can easily set in motion without any prolonged debate and thereby demonstrate, in action, its commitment to democratic principles and the honouring of signed agreements,” Ferguson said.