The Government Information Agency (GINA) said his reaction came in commenting on the PNC/R's announcement to join the Justice For All Party protest march in Georgetown today.

"No one doubts that the country is experiencing serious challenges. The Government has said this in the context of the prevailing crime situation.

"We see the glorification of anti-social and criminal activities and unrelenting attempts by certain elements to rupture peace and harmony in our society, in addition to an unfavourable world economic environment.

"But to just ascribe the description of crisis willy-nilly is out of context," Persaud argued, according to GINA.

Referring to the PNC/R's planned protest action, he said it is much more than an occasion to march and protest, observing that Guyana is one of the few countries in the world where the opposition deliberately seeks to create a crisis situation, the agency reported.

According to Persaud, when this fails, it then attempts to invent one in the minds of the population through the employment of rumours and lies through several media outlets and whisper campaigns.

GINA said he contended that there are much more serious issues for the entire nation to examine and work together on, instead of screaming that the nation is in crisis.

He also argued that the PNC/R should use the existing constitutional mechanism, which allows a significant and even veto role for the opposition on important decisions, including matters relating to the security forces, teachers, public servants, GPL, water supply and every area of government business, to make a positive impact on the situation.

In the meantime, he said, the Government is going ahead with the presentation of the National Budget which will see priority being placed on the crime situation, securing investment for greater job creation, provision of better social services and the fight against poverty.