Georgetown: New Opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has agreed to establish a transition team to facilitate the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s ascent to government.
This was revealed by newly elected President David Granger at his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday afternoon at Parliament Buildings.
Speaking to a magnitude of supporters, well wishers, international representatives and other officials at the Parliament Buildings in Georgetown, the new President took the Oath of Office and declared that he has been elected as the President for all the people and will have a Government of national unity which will ensure better lives for all.
He confirmed that Moses Nagamootoo will be the country’s Prime Minister while the APNU’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon will temporarily serve as Head of the Presidential Secretariat until Cabinet appointments are made. The two men will head the transition team for the handing over of State assets from the former PPP/C Administration while the Cabinet of Ministers is expected to be revealed and inaugurated on May 26, the country’s Independence Day at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
In further remarks, Granger told the large crowd which had gathered in front of the Parliament Buildings to see their leader being sworn in, that he will extend a hand of friendship towards the now PPP/C Opposition leader Donald Ramotar for the practice of inclusionary democracy, in the spirit of unity as the coalition will work for the good of the country and erase the scourges of race-hate, crime, violence against women and the other troubles that have gripped the nation, as he pledged to be the President for all Guyanese.
“The elections are over. The Guyanese people have chosen their representatives. The Constitution has been respected. Our democracy has been fortified. Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred. We assemble here today to witness the swearing in, not of a party leader, but of the President of all the people. I shall be a good President for all the people. We the Guyanese people have chosen to inaugurate a ‘government of national unity’ and to promote our multiparty, inclusionary partnership. We are convinced that this is the best way to overcome our historic divisions,” the eighth Executive President expressed.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the former Opposition leader told reporters that the transition team will focus on matters such as security, foreign affairs and finance to ensure that the country is able to move forward in a positive light.
“We have witnessed the damage done to our beautiful country over the past 23 years. We have been mocked by the destruction of local democracy and the denial of Local Government Elections. We have been treated with contempt by the dictatorial prorogation and dissolution of Parliament. We have had to bear the brunt of the high rate of crime including armed robberies, arson, inter-personal violence, murder, piracy, rapes, road fatalities and trafficking in persons. We have had to bear the cost of the squandering of state resources on exorbitant but misconceived mega-projects. We have suffered most from the high cost of living and the high level of unemployment,” he said.
“We have not been filled with hatred by these conditions. We are, indeed, more determined than ever to refashion society into one in which our womenfolk can look forward to working for living wages to cope with the cost of living; one in which old folk can enjoy adequate pensions and social protection. Our young people will be able to attain higher educational standards and look forward to finding satisfactory jobs when they leave school. Our women and girl children can look forward to living in safety and to being protected from abuse and violent crime,” he further continued.
You must be logged in to post a comment.