PRESIDENT David Granger, in bringing his message to the Parliament, did something good for the nation’s political growth and development. This constitutional provision allows citizens to hear their President articulate positions on the issues guiding the Executive and its parliamentary agenda.Such addresses also make it easier for them to be apprised of the Government’s agenda, make known their views, and participate in the required processes to bring it about.

In the President’s 13th October address, several issues pertinent to the nation and people’s wellbeing were addressed; and irrespective of political and other diversity, it is to our collective benefit to have these achieved.

Where crime continues to pose threats to the nation’s security and the citizens’ peace of mind, no Guyanese should seek political mileage from another’s misery. Regardless of our politics, we all want to feel and be safe; and together we must work to achieve it. Commitments given by the President that “Government intends to make Guyana safe for this and future generations, [and] we will do so not only by combating crime and criminals, but in uprooting the causes of crime and its links with transnational crime” are deserving of support and participation to ensure realisation.

The establishment of a National Security Committee and proposed new National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) to address narco-trafficking, and a new National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to beef up surveillance of our borders and coasts would help in crime reduction. Augmentations of the Police Mounted and Marine branches have also being promised, where the former would aid traffic laws’ enforcement and the latter battle piracy.

Reaching out to the United Kingdom (UK) with “a view to restoring the aborted Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRAP)” is a necessary component in crime-fighting. Though it was a plan it had helped conceive, the PPP/C government had rejected the SSRAP implementation on the argument that the role the UK wanted to play violated Guyana’s sovereignty. It therefore behoves the Government, out of caution, to examine this perception and publicly address it before implementation of the SSRAP, to avoid political uproar and rejection.

At the same time, its needs to be said that, abominable as it is, opportunities must be created for legitimate forms of income-earning for those who would have relied on crime for an income. It would not help if the narco-trade goes underground, given that it presently operates in broad daylight, because it would be harder to root out, and would make life more dangerous for those who can provide intelligence or want to remove themselves from criminal activity.

The President has outlined the Executive’s legislative agenda, which include presenting bills on Industrial Relations Tribunal, Witness Protection, Protected Disclosure, Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, and Immigration; and amendments to the Integrity Act, Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation Act, Marriage Act, and Road Act.

This is quite an agenda for the Executive, and would likely ensure there would be more sittings to deliberate the people’s business, as they have being asking for. A proactive opposition can also bring bills to the National Assembly, given that the constitution allows any member of parliament to do so.

Ours is a Parliament that allows the Opposition and Government sides to not only oppose each other, but also cooperate in the national good. This presents opportunity for Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is Leader of the Government Business, and Bharrat Jagdeo, as Leader of the Opposition, to craft a common parliamentary agenda. Inspirations and reliance can be drawn from their 2015 manifestos.

Working together would see both parties being able to achieve what they promised their constituents on the campaign trail, and more likely would make the House more deliberative and less acrimonious. Not to be forgotten, such collaboration would be in keeping with inclusionary democracy, which the Guyana Constitution prescribes as the nation’s principal political objective, and the President’s statement of pursuing “public policy” which is “committed to good governance.”

In addressing the Green Economy, the nation was promised a “comprehensive, multi-sectorial development programme…aimed at improving the pace of economic development by removing bottlenecks to the implementation of infrastructural projects.” This is much anticipated, given the potential for economic and employment opportunities in the presence of pervasive poverty and high unemployment. Building Guyana requires Guyanese being engaged in productivity and productive endeavours.

The commitment made to invest in the public service through capacity building and institutional strengthening would aid in restoring professionalism. It should be said that public servants also look forward to the implementation of recommendations flowing from the commission of inquiry into the service, given that both approaches are important in ensuring qualitative delivery of service.

President Granger noted the capability of both sides of the House in finding common ground in the pursuit of the common good. Guyanese want their leaders to work together for the good of the collective, and this moment is ours to seize for the good of self, our fellowman, and country.