In an exclusive interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), he reflected that the delay had its genesis in the enactment of the Constitutional reform process in 2001 and has progressed to today.

He recalled that during one of his press conferences last year, he urged that moves should be made to have these appointments because of the negative impact this void was having on the role of Government and the PPP/C Administration in discharging their mandate.

Dismissing PNC/R claims that the Administration's move to make the appointments is an act of "bad faith", Dr. Luncheon said: "The records will show that since then (2001) teachers, police and the judiciary have all had cause to comment adversely on the failure of these appointments."

Gauging the latter reactions, Luncheon said one would have thought that the PNC/R's actions would have reflected their support of the outpourings of Guyanese to have these Commissions in place.

He said instead, the PNC/R (People's National Congress Reform) has displayed a position that suggests its acceptance of not having the Commissions in place, and in the same vein, the party, in its actions also indicates its disapproval of the appointments.

"This is why Government has been charged with bad faith," Luncheon said.

He reaffirmed: "Our mandate presupposes that there exists good faith between the governing party and Guyanese in general, and this is the abiding yardstick."

He expressed the opinion that the country has been done a disservice by the

PNC/R, through that party's failure to participate in the Constitutional provisions that govern appointments.

This is despite its "persistent trumpeting" for appointments, including that of the Police Commissioner, the Cabinet spokesman declared.

He reiterated: "The reason that the approach that is being used is now on the table, reflects the unwillingness, and the reluctance of the PNC/R to fulfill its Constitutional mandate."

Touching on the rationale behind the Administration's firm stance on this issue, Luncheon recalled the 1997 court challenge by the PNC/R, surrounding the use of voter identification cards for General Elections that year.

He observed that the challenge was made even after that party, along with three other Parliamentary Opposition parties voted unanimously for its use in 1994.

That court issue lasted from 1997 to 2001.

Luncheon stated that the Administration is therefore moving ahead with prudence, recognising that such a recourse could be sought by the PNC/R, despite their endorsement of members of the service Commissions.

Dismissing the PNC/R's notion that this move is a unilateral act by the

Administration, the Cabinet official said the Government has tried in all possible ways to get the PNC/R to fulfill its obligations.

He confirmed that room still exists for the PNC/R to participate in the process, adding that "nothing the President has caused to be initiated has in any way excluded the PNC/R from current and future participation in these appointments."

Meanwhile, Luncheon signalled unequivocally that the Administration and other Parliamentary parties will be moving ahead without the support of the PNC/R to appoint the Judicial, Teaching, Police and Public Service Commissions.

In response to the main Opposition party's claim that the appointment of a

Parliamentary Opposition Leader has nothing to do with the Constitutional appointments, he explained that the Constitution is replete with provisions that implore the Administration on the need to consult meaningfully with the Opposition on a number of appointments.

He deemed this pronouncement "reckless", noting that the PNC/R has been engaged in impulsive threats to the Government that it will stop attempts made by the Administration to forge ahead with appointments.

Luncheon called this another aspect of the PNC/R's rancour that they will make the country ungovernable.

On the issue of dialogue between President Bharrat Jagdeo and PNC/R Leader, Mr.

Corbin, Dr. Luncheon said the President has repeatedly invited the PNC/R

leadership to have discussions on matters that are of concern. This bears

testimony to the President's desire to have dialogue with the party, he said.

Luncheon said that moving ahead with making the Constitutional appointments is more important than the dialogue process.

In light of the PNC/R's most recent reservations about going ahead with planned meetings between the two major political leaders, the Office of the President official expressed optimism that the talks will and must proceed.

He said that Mr. Corbin has perhaps taken over the helm of leadership of his party at a difficult time, but nonetheless, the development of an agenda brings to bear the importance of the two sides addressing an increasing number of important issues.

"We cannot hold the service Commissions and all the functions in bondage," he declared.

He expressed confidence that the Administration's move will be fully supported by Guyanese, particularly in those categories of appointments where functions interface with the people of the country.

Luncheon pointed out that it is the Constitutional provision set out by the late PNC Founder and former President Forbes Burnham, which allows for these appointments to be made within the confines of the Constitution.