Dear Editor
THE Guyana Chronicle, being a responsible government publication, we expect the highest level of fair play and professional journalism which the letter by Ryana Maraj –“AFC and the Cummingsburg Accord’ published, departs from completely and we expect that you will publish the AFC’s official response.

The article by Mr. Ryan Maraj in the September 22 edition of the Chronicle Newspaper is an unwarranted attack on the AFC, its contribution to the success of the APNU/AFC coalition government and the wisdom of key agreements embodied [in]the Cummingsburg Accord.
We wish to particularly rebuff the libelous accusation that the Minister of Natural Resources was removed from his responsibilities for oil and gas because of allegation of corruption. It is a false and slanderous accusation, which I am surprised was elevated to the pages of the Guyana Chronicle without evidence or at least the courtesy of a comment for balance. For the record, the portfolio Minister had written a letter to the President asking to be relieved of the responsibility for oil and gas, which was later returned to the Ministry of the Presidency.

Mr. Maraj claims, in particular, that the 60/40 cabinet split of Ministerial positions was not justified based on the performance of the present cabinet. Without a shred of evidence or any attempt to analyse and discuss Ministerial contribution, Mr. Maraj launched a broadside on at least five AFC Ministers, which was unwarranted, biased and even silly. We do not deny Mr. Maraj his opinion, regardless of how ill-informed it is, but the AFC can say without fear of successful contradiction that the Ministries of Public Security, Public Telecommunication, Agriculture, Business, Public Infrastructure as well as the Office of the Prime Minister have been run with vision, efficiency and have contributed significantly to the achievements of the coalition government in so many areas of the administration.

The AFC is well pleased with its ministers and, as a party, we are proud of our contribution in both the election of the coalition government and the stewardship of the government, having inherited a crippled economy and governance apparatus, after 23 years of a corrupt and bankrupted PPP/C administration. The AFC remains committed to the Cummingsburg Accord and its duties and responsibilities contained therein. We will not be derailed, diverted or distracted from our goal which is to ensure the return of the APNU/AFC coalition to office; so that we can continue to raise the quality of life for all the Guyanese people through the sustainable development in our homeland.

Regards
David Patterson
General Secretary;
Alliance For Change