–to Granger’s call for protest action

THE ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said yesterday it is convinced that the recent hosting of what was purported to be a “church service” by City Mayor, Hamilton Green and his followers was no mere coincidence.The Party said in a statement that it has every reason to believe that the event was a calculated prelude to Opposition Leader, Mr David Granger’s call for protest action.
The mere fact that the “service” had been planned for after the Opposition Leader had indicated his Party’s intention to take action by protesting is indicative of a deliberate attempt to rile-up public dissent in a planned way.
Granger, on September 9, issued President Donald Ramotar an ultimatum saying he either set a date for Local Government Elections by Monday September 15, or face whatever consequences his A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had up its sleeve.
President Ramotar’s tacit refusal to give in to Granger’s demands has since resulted in the latter calling on the public to take to the streets to back demands for holding Local Government Elections.
The PPP is contending that the “church service” and Granger’s call are intended to be used as support-gathering mechanisms to instill fear and instability under the guise of calling for Local Government Elections as reflected in the Granger ultimatum.
“This intention to once again hurt Guyana and Guyanese through protest action comes on the heels of a proposed No-Confidence Motion against the Government, and the ‘church service’ must be seen in this context,” the PPP said in its statement, adding:
“The lawlessness and wanton disrespect that ensued during that supposed attempt to ‘worship’, brought to the fore the well established characteristics of the PNC through the protests engineered by the PNC. Its negative impact to people and property is well documented, and all Guyanese must remain vigilant and guard against such disruptive events.”
The Party seized the opportunity to commend Head of the City Constabulary, Mr. Andrew Foo; Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Gordon Langevine and their team for the action taken to avoid further chaos during the “church service”.
Tension mounted last Monday at City Hall, after persons were barred from entering the compound where a prayer session, followed by a meeting organised by the Mayor and certain Councillors were scheduled to be held.
The Chief Constable, who is solely responsible for security at City Hall, had related however that to the best of his knowledge, a prayer service was scheduled to be held in the morning but the Constabulary would have received information that it was likely that among the persons who would have gathered, would be some “disruptive elements.”
Foo noted that it is against this backdrop that he had decided to implement security measures, making it known that the decisions made was based on the fact that the constabulary had received certain information. “It’s based on the fact of what the Constabulary has received in terms of information,” he said.