With local government reform listed as one of its priorities for 2007, the main opposition is hoping that the anticipated polls can be used as a starting point for shared governance.
Last week PNCR leader Robert Corbin said the party plans to pursue the completion of reform, including the passage of laws and regulations to remove the dominance of the Local Government Minister over local organs and the regulation of fiscal transfers devoid of political partisan interests.
At the same time, he pointed out that the changing political culture in the world necessitates the involvement of all the people in the task of national development in small countries like Guyana. "We must therefore build a culture of trust so that all of the people of Guyana can come together, reconcile our differences and put this nation once and for all on a path to irreversible growth and development which can see the attainment of our long deferred dreams and expectations," he said at the party's weekly press briefing on Thursday. "We believe that the upcoming local government elections offer a wonderful opportunity for the concept of shared governance to be formally embraced and the party will in 2007 accelerate activities to make this objective a reality."
Other areas to be pursued by the party include: the outstanding legal actions concerning the constitutionality of the parliament and the election petition; broadcast legislation to facilitate the issuing of licences to television and radio stations without political partisan considerations; and legislation to regulate remuneration of elected officials including adequate provisions for Regional Democratic Councillors.
In addition, the PNCR will also pursue the passage of legislation to ensure the freedom of information to citizens; the implementation of programmes and projects aimed at reducing the serious unemployment situation that exists in Guyana today; and the equitable allocation of resources in the budget to enable the economic empowerment of the poor through rehabilitation of the physical infrastructure in numerous villages and communities that the party believes were subject to discriminatory allocations in the past.
The opposition leader described 2006 as a difficult year and he added that the only real hope of a future of prosperity and reconciliation is if all stakeholders put their shoulders to the wheel to address issues like criminal violence.
Corbin also noted the importance of reaching consensus on the way forward for the economy of the country, and the need to deepen the level of involvement of all citizens in nation-building.
However, he did register the party's concern about the government's treatment of trade unions. He said the unions are there to represent and improve the conditions of the workers, but accused the government of deliberately undermining and sidelining them. He drew attention to the imposition of wage increases for the last two years, calling it inherently destabilizing and detrimental to good industrial relations between the government and the trade union movement.
Corbin also blamed the government for the deadlock over the appointment of a chancellor of the judiciary and said a general disinclination to uphold sections of the constitution on the part of the president and the government hindered the establishment of the Integrity Commission.
He added that the refusal to uphold the rule of law has led to poor governance in important areas of society and encouraged the growth of corruption.
He referred to Guyana's unfavourable rating by Transparency International. He said too that there are no signs that the Office of the President intends to uphold the law and pay the lottery funds into the Consolidated Fund, or that the government's domination of the state media would cease.