THE  Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI),  the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and other civil organisations, unions and individuals who will be affected need to do more than politely say that they are deeply concerned and uneasy with the budget cuts.

They must “unite for reason” and demand a seat at the table and be prepared to march in protest for the greater good of all Guyana, and not any party’s positions.
They must find out why the cuts were made and what more does the Opposition need to restore them. They must know who is telling the truth about negotiations by being present at such meetings.  Guyana needs a third pair of eyes and ears to guarantee we know truth from fiction. Which party is willing to include them?

They must seek to be represented on any commissions investigating problems and solutions. This includes any independent investigative commissions appointed to look into the management and performance of GPL and GUYSUCO.
Civil Society must demand that several proposed institutions be established and strengthened as soon as possible, including the Procurement Commission, the Integrity Commission and the Ombudsman’s Office.
Civil society voices have either been silent or too muted for too long on issues that affect them and the future and progress of the nation. It is time to stand up straight and speak out clearly with no more fence-straddling by civil society leaders.