What the people say about...
By Miranda La Rose
Stabroek News
April 2, 2001

Do you think there should be power sharing among the parliamentary parties and what format should it take? This was the question we put to the man/woman-in-the-street on Saturday morning;

Stephen Hall - concerned citizen: 'Power sharing will not work. We have to have inclusiveness which will involve people from all spheres of activity working for the common good of all the people. If there is power sharing between the PPP/Civic and the PNC REFORM automatically the PPP/Civic will absorb the political strength of the PNC REFORM and that must not be allowed to happen. The country does not need that. It needs a strong opposition and it needs balance. The PNC REFORM and the small parties must have parliamentary powers which will ensure that the constituents they represent, be they of whatever ethnic background, are adequately represented and their rights not eroded. The government needs to recognise that without unity there can be no real development, in spite of how much development the government claims, and the country will remain divided. Both the PPP/Civic and the PNC REFORM need to educate their supporters on the way forward. Of urgent attention is the new constitution, which promotes inclusivity. Civil society and all people in general need to push for this. Last but not least all Guyanese need to turn to God and ask him to direct our lives.'

Selwyn `Pressy' Prescod - businessman: 'Yes, I do believe that there should be some form of power sharing but for me it would be difficult to say what format it should take. The way parliament operates at present gives minority parties no voice or no chance to adequately represent a large section -- to be precise some 48% of the Guyanese society. We saw this very clearly over the last eight years and this has led to minorities being marginalised and disrespected. A level playing field should be created for minorities to obtain government contracts so that not only supporters of the majority party in parliament benefits. Job opportunities must also be available to all Guyanese including qualified minorities. I have been to the same university as my cousins, some of whom are even more qualified than I and they cannot even get decent jobs with adequate pay.'

Sham Ally - self-employed: 'Yes I think there must be some form of power sharing but the problem would be the format. I think that has to be worked out among the PPP/Civic and the PNC REFORM as well as the other parties otherwise people will always cry discrimination. It is necessary for the development of the country that everyone is included in all government programmes and no one is left out. If this does not happen the protests will continue. It is time the protests stop and President Jagdeo and Mr Hoyte get down to dialogue in the interest of the country. Guyanese from all walks of life are feeling the pressure, it is not only one racial grouping feeling the pressure.'

David Hope - self-employed: 'I am not pleased with the entire situation so I cannot honestly comment about power sharing right now. I would call for fresh elections because I feel cheated having been unable to vote at the last elections. In addition I feel that the elections should not have been held under the old constitution as the problem of governance was recognised ever since and should have been settled as well. I think that the PPP/Civic deliberately stalled the constitution reform process and as such is responsible for all this protest right now.'

Janet Austin - food vendor: 'I don't know what is power sharing but I know that whatever happens from now on, no section of the Guyanese society must be excluded as the PPP/Civic government has done over the past eight years. It must be real. It must not be tokenism. Jobs and training opportunities must not be available to only people of a certain race but to all Guyanese; government must not condone police brutality; houses and house lots for those who prefer lots must be available to all categories of workers at affordable rates... if possible where houses are concerned self-help housing schemes should be promoted as the late Founder Leader Forbes Burnham did. Could you imagine our ancestors paid with their sweat and blood for lands and used wheelbarrows to fetch cents and pennies to pay for the same lands government now have we poor people paying for? If we of the PNC REFORM give up the struggle our forefathers fought for they will return to haunt us.'

Francis Anderson - businessman: 'Basically I do not trust power sharing between the PPP/Civic and the PNC REFORM which I support but I believe in the supremacy of a good constitution and a constitution that reduces the powers of the government and places the power in the hands of the people where it belongs. The new constitution must look after the interest and security of the people instead of serving the party in power. The President must not be above the law and the new constitution must reflect this so that the courts must be more effective in giving justice in the true sense of the word based on a new and proper constitution. Whenever a manifesto is presented to the people the government must be compelled to deliver at least 70% of its promises by order of the constitution. If found wanting the government must be removed from office with immediate effect. The constitution must ensure that wealth be shared equally regardless of race, colour or creed.'

Gloria Callender - housewife: 'As far as I can see the government has neglected a large section of the Guyanese population over the past eight years and I am afraid it will continue if the PNC does not have some share in the governance of the country. I remain at home because I have been looking for a job with no success. Employers would say that there are no vacancies even if you have the little qualifications but when you turn your back they employ somebody else of a different race. Black people must be given the opportunity to work and train as well. If this matter of governance is not settled now, the next five years will be worse. Right now the only man I have confidence in as leader, or to represent me in parliament is Mr Desmond Hoyte, the PNC and the REFORM people. But they must have a voice in parliament. If not Guyana will see no new job creation and no investors will want to come to Guyana.'

Satesh Jaikarran - construction technician: 'I feel that the way forward right now is not through the courts but through agreements to work together for the good of this country and all its people between the main political parties. As much as the smaller parties are important they cannot wield the influence that both the PPP/Civic and the PNC REFORM can. The problem right now is not between the parties but it is a Guyana Elections Commission problem, for which the commission and the chief election officer must be held accountable. The electoral process will need to be bettered and no election is 100% accurate. Let's be honest with ourselves. It was not only supporters of the PNC REFORM who were disenfranchised there were supporters of the PPP/Civic too. I was disenfranchised. I could not vote because I did not get an identification card and my name was not on the list. I mean I would have liked to vote too. However, I have been listening to the discussions and I believe in President Jagdeo's belief of inclusiveness but he will need the cooperation of the parliamentary parties in ensuring that no one is excluded. If this is power sharing, well then, so be it.'

Yvette McPherson - housewife: 'Power sharing cannot work. PNC REFORM will then be talking about sharing power with people who has already destroyed this country. Where we are today -- in turmoil -- is the result of the deceit the PPP/Civic has been perpetuating over the past eight years. The PPP/Civic is not equipped to lead this country and to share power with anybody. They will only mouth the words inclusiveness and power sharing but they will not mean it and will make things difficult for any other party because that is how they are.'