Contrary to what is stated in the first paragraph of the article, “…it would move unilaterally to install the four service commissions which have been stalled for more than a year on the account of a stalemate with the Opposition…,” “Government has not and does not intend to move on any issue involving other stakeholders unilaterally,” Information Liaison to the President Mr. Robert Persaud said in an invited comment.

Regarding the constitution of the four Service Commissions, he pointed out that during the past year the Administration has consistently sought the participation of the opposition Parties in the processes outlined in the Reformed Constitution. But whilst, the Administration awaited these responses, it could not possibly allow the teachers, Policemen, public servants and the members of the judiciary to be further disadvantaged by the absence of the Service Commissions.

Mr. Persaud referred to a letter President Bharrat Jagdeo wrote last month to the Leaders of all Parliamentary Parties. In this letter the President made this position very clear and even extended the courtesy of sharing the names of his nominees to serve on the various Commissions. The Opposition’s participation was once more sought to appoint the Service Commissions, which has put a stalemate on the appointment and position of teachers, judges, police officers and public servants. In the third category, the stalemate has hampered the appointment of the Police Commissioner Designate Mr. Winston Felix.

Mr. Persaud noted that Government welcomes the subsequent participation in the process by the Opposition following this letter by President Jagdeo.

On another issue, as the Editorial pointed out in paragraph four, there were some disagreements on the chairing of the Parliamentary Management Committees, “the combined Opposition had argued that Ministers should not chair the Sector Committees, and the governing party had finally agreed, but proposed that in turn the Parliamentary Party should support a Constitutional Amendment which would increase the number of technocrat Ministers.”

He pointed out that Government has since the Jagdeo/Hoyte dialogue (2001-2002) agreed that Government Ministers would not chair the sector committees. The President further agreed that no Minister would be on the Committees, if the Opposition would agree to an Amendment to Guyana’s new Constitution, namely, that there should be an increase in the number of technocrat Ministers from four at present to ten.

This is needed as the number of Government Members of Parliament who are not Ministers is insufficient to adequately represent the Administration on these Committees.

Finally, Mr. Persaud cautioned that the Editorial should not seek to change/invent the reason for the impasse. He noted that the Editorial’s analysis must be based on facts.