AGAINST the background of reneging on agreements and non-support for important developmental projects and laws, President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday expressed very little optimism with regard to future engagements with the political Opposition Parties.“They have not given us any clear reason to believe that they are interested in development of Guyana,” he lamented.
He recalled the first set of engagements during the 2012 budget debate, when the Opposition reneged on decisions they had previously agreed to, followed by the non-support for the Amaila Falls Hydropower project.
The President said anyone interested in the development of Guyana would not have voted against the Amaila project since it is a known fact that the availability of cheap and reliable energy is one of the major constraints standing in the way of more rapid economic growth.

The opposition also voted against other projects such as the Specialty Hospital, the Airport Expansion Project, development of airstrips in the hinterland and more recently, by their actions, they have exposed the country to serious sanctions by not supporting the passage of the  Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill
“To have them vote against these things would shake your confidence in having them as partners for development…these acts have really put into question as to whether or not they are really interested in development of the country,” he said.
Nevertheless, the President maintains that the Parliament is still one of the highest forums of the country and as such, his Government will make every attempt to continue working with the Opposition.

“We still have to work with them on an issue by issue basis,” but said he had hoped that there would have been greater understanding for national development over narrow partisan political gains.
With regards the general populace working to help in the development process, the president said, “We continue to look forward to the support of the broad masses of people to help us to push our country forward.”

(GINA)