No time limit on response from Hoyte - President Jagdeo Guyana Chronicle September 5, 1999 PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo is not putting a time limit for a response from People's National Congress (PNC) leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, to an invitation to meet. He told reporters Friday he was still awaiting a response to a letter he had sent Hoyte. The President said he was continuing to reach out to the opposition and "there is no time limit to reaching out as I want this to be an essential feature of my administration even when it is not reciprocated." In his first press conference since assuming office last month, he told reporters at the Office of the President complex he had met leaders of the Working People's Alliance (WPA) and The United Force (TUF). The President said he has also met representatives of the labour movement and the sides have agreed to focus on issues such as national development strategies, privatisation and Guyana's relations with international financial institutions. Mr. Jagdeo said he has also been exploring ways of dealing with charges and perceptions of discrimination and corruption, maintaining that he will deal seriously with proven instances of these. "In my interaction with ordinary people, they have complained of long delays in dealing with simple matters which often cost them money. The most persistent problems are those in the area of housing", he said. "Many have told me about threats to take away their land if they cannot pay on time. Some say that they are told that they cannot get land because they are too poor and cannot find the money to pay," he reported. The President stressed that this was not the government's policy and he has discussed these issues with the minister responsible. A mechanism is to be put in place to ensure that poor people do not lose land they were allocated because of inability to pay and the minister will meet people one day every month to deal with claims of direct discrimination, the President said. He announced that he has directed that a tabulation be made of all areas of red tape affecting the smooth running of the Government and said all these will be removed. Mr. Jagdeo said no decision has been taken on a possible Cabinet reshuffle and asked reporters not to "fuel speculation". He noted that over the past few weeks he has travelled a lot and talked with Guyanese from all walks of life. He said he has emphasised the need to adopt more creative approaches in the task of nation building. "I have indicated that the most important elements in my new approach would be inclusivity and a getting-things-done-attitude. "In terms of policy-making, full involvement of people is vital," he pointed out, noting that equally important is the timely and efficient implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects. The end result of this approach hopefully will make the government much more responsive to the needs of the people and the nation, he said. But, President Jagdeo felt that essential to all of these is the promotion of peace and harmony in Guyana's multi-ethnic community. "We cannot forever speak of approaches. We need to get down to concrete work and I have already put in motion, mechanisms to achieve some of our stated objectives," he reiterated. These include a business summit scheduled for next month with the private sector to agree on common understanding of trade and investment issues. He expects that flowing from this meeting will be concrete policies to stimulate private sector investment and growth to create wealth and jobs. Holding Cabinet meetings in various parts of the country aimed at bringing policy makers in direct contact with people and their problems are also part of the President's strategy. The first such meeting will be held in Berbice this week, he announced. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples