I AM a very strong and dedicated AFC supporter of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice. I was invited by Mr. Abel Seetaram, AFC organiser, to attend a regional consultation on social cohesion at the Belladrum Primary School, West Coast Berbice. I would like to express a few observations I made during the consultation process. Firstly, I am very disappointed with the organisers of the consultation: only supporters of the APNU+AFC were invited to the consultation and most of the persons that were there are from the PNC groups in Region 5.

Secondly, the PNC organiser of Region 5 chaired the consultation, and only APNU+AFC political activists were allowed to sit at the head table. The region’s regional chairman and vice chairman had to sit in the audience.

Thirdly, the chairperson of the consultation used the opportunity to inform PNC members of the party’s programmes and activities as follows: party fund-raising; activities for Burnham month, and providing services at the PNC offices at Rosignol and Mahaicony.

Finally, I told Mr. Abel Seetaram after the consultation that “the APNU+AFC needs to practise what it is preaching.” The AFC needs to ensure that what is promised in the coalition’s manifesto is properly adhered to. We cannot allow the PNC to practise the mentality of the past. The PNC must not use Government programmes to promote party activities.

According to the APNU+AFC Manifesto, page7: “APNU+AFC recognises that each citizen, regardless of race, creed, local status or gender, has the right to access opportunities. Moreover, as a nation we must realise that all ethnic groups must be developed and jettison the zero-sum mentality of the past.”

BHAGYANANDANA SEETARAM