Corbin restates call for consensus programme
-in New Year's message
Stabroek News
January 3, 2005
Declaring that no one party has the solution to the country's pressing problems, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin has reiterated the PNCR's call that all stakeholders including the ruling party meet to craft a consensus programme including a governance model.
In a New Year's message on Saturday, Corbin said his congress speech last year outlining this proposal remains the "working document of the PNCR".
He forwarded that the formulation of any consensus programme should discuss several ideas including the strengthening of consultative and participatory mechanisms to allow citizens a real voice in national affairs, implementing all of the commitments given under constitution reform and the constructive engagement process (the dialogue between him and President Bharrat Jagdeo), working with the union movement to formulate a worker- friendly wages policy and nurturing policies and an environment for the attraction of investment.
Addressing several issues which he had highlighted on the eve of 2004 to be resolved last year, Corbin noted that there had been a few achievements. He pointed out that the Disciplined Forces Commission had submitted its final report and recommendations but these have not been acted on.
"Regrettably, those recommendations have remained just that, with no signs that our government is interested in their implementation to improve our security environment. Thanks, however, to the commitment of dedicated members of the Guyana Police Force the serious crime situation has abated slightly".
Corbin also homed in on the Commission of Inquiry in the death squad allegations noting that it had been established though serious reservations about its mandate remained. He said the revelations made thus far have vindicated the calls made by the party for a public inquiry into the matter.
He termed the non-implementation of the many decisions of the communiqué signed between him and President Jagdeo as disappointing. The government has argued that Corbin broke off the dialogue with the President and effectively halted the process. Corbin listed a number of unimplemented commitments including equitable access to the state media, movement on broadcasting legislation, licensing of private radio stations, the Region 10 development agenda and amendments to the Procurement Act.
Corbin opined that a major focus in 2005 must be the economy and said that the performance over the past year has not been encouraging. He argued that Guyana remains firmly in the grip of successive IMF pacts without a clear exit plan. "These agreements are negotiated behind the scenes, are not laid in the National Assembly but predetermine the plight of thousands of workers and may be in direct violation of Article 13 of our Constitution, which require consultation and participation of the people in the conclusion of such agreements".
Charging that the narcotics trade has attained unprecedented levels and threatens the economic and political stability of the country, Corbin said it has to be addressed as an important issue this year.
Referring to the recent seizures of cocaine in Guyanese coconuts, lumber and fish, Corbin said this is certain to affect the export of products by legitimate businesses. He said what was more worrying are reports that the laundering process is "gradually finding its way into established sectors of our vulnerable economy".
Touching on electricity bills, Corbin said on New Year's Day, his wife, the treasurer of the Uncle Eddie's Senior Citizens' Home, received a bill for $72,000 which had risen from the average $51,000 per month without any reasonable explanation.
"I shudder to think what is happening to our senior citizens who exist on miserly pensions. I don't know what has been your experience but judging from my own, Uncle Eddie's Home and from other experiences, the year 2005 is frightening if we are to think only of our electricity burdens", Corbin said.