The Government Information Agency (GINA) said that at two of his recent media conferences, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon repeated the call for this appointment.

It said Luncheon noted that the Office of the President views with some expectations, developments surrounding the post-parliamentary debate period and wishes to reaffirm that "a Parliamentary focus must complement the other political initiatives currently taking place."

While contacts between the Office of the President and the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) are ongoing with the aim of finalising arrangements for the agreed-upon meeting between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the PNC/R Mr. Robert Corbin, it is necessary that the Opposition select a Leader, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat noted.

"Importantly, the matter of an appointment of the Leader of the Opposition has become relevant and timely. The ball is clearly in Mr. Corbin's court," Luncheon said.

Cabinet last week continued to voice its concerns over the delayed appointment of an Opposition Leader in the body politic, Luncheon said.

The Government's view is that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition is seen as an important step in the ongoing political initiatives, including the issue of governance.

GINA noted that in accordance with the procedures to appoint an Opposition Leader, the PNC/R after nominating their Leader has to meet the other Opposition Parliamentary parties to elect an Opposition Leader.

The Opposition's proposal is put to the Government side in Parliament and the outcome of that process will determine the Opposition Leader, the agency said.

Mr. Corbin, an Attorney-at-Law and former Chairman of the PNC/R, was elected to the highest position in the party by a landslide vote at a special Delegates' Congress held on February 1, 2003 at Congress Place, Sophia, the party's headquarters following the death of former PNC/R Leader Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte last year.