TUC Lewis attacks Granger over decisions
PRESIDENT of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Lincoln Lewis has warned Opposition Leader David Granger that civilian and Army are two different kinds of management. Lewis said an army commander can make decisions and the troops fall in line but, in a consultative democracy, if he cannot consult with the people, then he has turned the knife, the dagger in their backs.
The TUC President was referring to discussions Granger had with President Donald Ramotar at Office of the President on Wednesday.
At that meeting, the two sides discussed several issues relating to the 2012 National Budget, among them the increased tariffs for residents in the mining town of Linden.
Lewis told a press conference, held at Critchlow Labour College on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, yesterday morning, that Granger and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has been locking the Alliance For Change (AFC) out of critical talks which affect the lives of its constituents.
Lewis reminded that APNU and AFC both make up the Parliamentary Opposition but accused Granger of refusing to meet with various groups to discuss issues relating to the lives of Guyanese.
Commitment
Lewis said citizens and groups need to be a part of the decision-making in the country and this has not been happening. He said all the parties made a commitment to meet with the people before decisions are taken but that is being honoured in the breach.
He told the media that, in the past, the late Parliamentary Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte was in the habit of meeting with the unions before going to the National Assembly to deal with budget issues.
According to Lewis, as Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge also did the same.
Lewis said he is also sending a strong message to the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, that the people of Linden have a right to protest.
In relation to the move by Granger to enter discussions with the Government on several issues, Lewis said: “Anyone who wants to take that right away from people and rattle things down people’s throats, we have to rethink our relationship with them.”
Lewis noted that APNU took a decision to recommend a $2,500 increase for Old Age Pension, taking the sum to $10,000. without even consulting with the pension associations.
He said, while the two Parliamentary Opposition parties have political differences, they must cooperate if they are to deal with the issues affecting the populace.
Lewis expressed the view that the role of the Opposition needs to be reviewed and he threatened that, should the Opposition Leader fail to hold consultations and change the way things are happening in Parliament, he is, personally, going to picket the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.