He told a news conference that the very expensive and extensive constitutional reform process, in which the main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and other parties and groups were involved, was directed towards addressing the problems of society.

These included balancing the security forces, discrimination, corruption, human rights abuses, ethnicity and Amerindian rights, Mr. Jagdeo noted.

PNC/R leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, over the weekend called for "careful and anxious consideration to the insistent voices that are calling for constitutional and political reform".

At the opening of his party's 13th Biennial Congress, Hoyte also advocated an adjusted system of governance for the country.

"Whether we call it `power-sharing', `shared governance', `inclusive governance' or any other name (an adjusted system of governance for the country) appears to be an idea whose time has come", he said at the opening of the Congress Friday evening.

He said it could hardly be claimed "that our present arrangements are working in the best interests of the country and its citizens."

However, President Jagdeo stated that all political parties and members of civil society were involved in the constitutional reform process, and that the new Constitution contains "features" to address major national concerns.

The reformed Constitution stipulates that independent commissions with sanctioning powers be set up. These include independent commissions on Human Rights and Ethnic Relations, the President noted.

The setting up of the commissions has been stalled due to the non-participation of the PNC/R in the National Assembly.

The establishment of the commissions requires two-thirds support of the National Assembly and the Government does not have that majority in the House, the President noted.

Mr. Jagdeo also pointed out that the electoral system has been amended due to concerns of the Opposition.

The Opposition, the President said, were also given an opportunity to sit on four sectoral committees dealing with the economy, the social and natural resources sectors and foreign affairs, and to review Government policy.

He said they also have the opportunity of participating in the Judicial, Police, Teaching and Public Service Commissions.

He added that all these measures changed the whole landscape of governance in Guyana.

"I would say let us put in place all the things we agreed to...Let's see how these work, whether they are addressing the concerns of our society", he stated.

"That's an inclusive form of governance, because nowhere in this region does an opposition have as much say", the President declared.

The President maintained his committment to continuous dialogue with the Opposition, pointing out that whenever it resumes, he would like to see an urgent move to put these things in place.