GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Donald Ramotar has called on the opposition to meet his government half way in dialogue to take Guyana forward.
In his New Year’s Day message, the head of state urged the collective opposition to reconsider its positions and recommit itself to the betterment of the country and the lives of the citizens of Guyana.
In a message to the nation Ramotar said he had hoped that the new configuration in Parliament would have led to more cooperation.
“Instead what all of us have observed is that the National Assembly was transformed into an arena where the main objective and obsession of the opposition was to score partisan political points counter to our national interests. It is now in such a state that unconstitutional motions are being regularly taken in Parliament. In defence of the rule of law and the Constitution we have had resort to going to the Courts,” Ramotar said.
According to the President the “misguided positions and actions” that led to some citizens being harassed and abused in Agricola and the unfortunate loss of lives in Linden.
While the government has been willing and has moved even more than halfway to meet the opposition and compromise, we have not seen that same willingness from the other sides. I urge the collective opposition to reconsider its positions and recommit itself to the betterment of our country and the lives of the citizens of our Guyana,” Ramotar said .
He also noted that there were positive developments during the last year especially on the economic front.
“For 2012 we expect to record a GDP growth of about 4 percent making this the seventh straight year that our economy has recorded growth. Our sustained strong economic performance is an impressive achievement in light of the prevailing international economic situation”.
Concerning the year ahead the Ramotar said several major projects are in the works including the fibre optic cable coming on stream which significantly widen the scope for Information Technology in the country.
“This year we will also be observing some important anniversaries in the history of our country. We will be observing the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Uprising, the 175th anniversary of the arrivals of Indians in Guyana and the 175th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. (CMC)
