NEW United States Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway has called on the Government to facilitate Local Government Elections before the end of 2015, even as he pledged his country’s support to eliminate impediments to this country’s development. Ambassador Holloway, who replaces Ambassador D. Brent Hardt, delivered this challenge after presenting his Letters of Credence to President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday. The U.S. envoy was accompanied by his wife Rosaura, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, among others.

After watching with great anticipation the momentous events of 2014 and 2015 which ultimately resulted in the free and fair elections of May 11, the U.S. Ambassador said he stands ready to work closely with the Guyana Government to build on the country’s democracy.
“I wish to pledge my government’s continued support to the holding of Local Government Elections before the end of 2015 – hopefully with the use of electronic tabulation so that we can all have a few less sleepless nights as we await the results,” Ambassador Holloway said.
He made this call weeks after Minister of State Joseph Harmon had told the press that Local Government Elections, which was last held in 1994 and scheduled for 1997, would not be possible this year. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in one of its most recent press statements, had said that though the Local Authorities (Elections) Amendment Bill has been passed in the National Assembly, preparations for, and the prerequisite conduct of Claims and Objections leading to the finalisation of the Official Register of Voters would take the Commission at least to the end of 2015.
GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, in a meeting in early September with Western diplomats who were seeking an update on the long-awaited polls, had also indicated this. A release from GECOM had said that Surujbally stressed to the diplomats that assenting to the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2015 by President David Granger was pivotal to proceeding with preparations for the polls. The release from GECOM said that Surujbally gave the assurance that the Commission will begin the implementation of its Work Plan for the running off of Local Government Elections immediately after the outstanding legal requirements are passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Granger.

Meanwhile, in keeping with the Administration’s quest to achieve social cohesion, Ambassador Holloway said “together, we can ensure that all Guyanese enjoy equality of opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.”
In alluding to Guyana’s natural resources and its potential, he said the time has come for the country to harness that potential but responsibly and sustainably for the benefit of all Guyanese. “The United States of America stands ready to work with our Guyanese friends to eliminate impediments to national development. We will work with you to combat transnational organised crime under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.”
Additionally, he said the U.S. will be working closely with Guyana to bring about increased transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and to protect the environment.
The mobilisation of the private sector resources for the development of cheaper sources of renewable energy is also top on the U.S. Ambassador’s agenda. “I am confident that through public sector reform and public-private partnerships, Guyana can create the business climate necessary to drive socio-economic development for all its people.”

By Svetlana Marshall