(Guyana Chronicle)THE Government Information Agency (GINA) has noted with grave concern the recent statement made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger, regarding the entity.
At a press conference held on Friday, Mr. Granger boasted with respect to budgetary allocations for GINA and the National Communications Network (NCN), “…if they don’t hear, they will feel…”
GINA said it interprets this comment by Mr. Granger as a threat to its existence and well-being of its staff. Moreso, the agency believes that such a comment may not be devoid of security implications for its employees and is in the process of registering its concern with the related authority.
Based on the pronouncements of Mr. Granger and his colleagues in the Opposition since 2012 regarding GINA, there is no ambiguity of their stringent efforts to use their combined Parliamentary majority to close the agency through the deprivation of financial resources. As evident from 2012 and 2013, this action by the Opposition was without an inkling of consideration for the welfare of the industrious and dedicated staff of the agency all of whom have financial obligations for their personal and family well-being with many being the breadwinner.
A GINA release said: “GINA remains mindful of the inconsiderate statements made by senior members of the Opposition regarding the budget cuts of 2012 and which were reiterated in 2013 that loss of jobs was “collateral damage” and “so what” if that were the case. This can only be deemed as wanton disregard for the employees’ welfare and their right to work at a place of their choice and an absolute contradiction of Mr. Granger’s and the Opposition’s boast of working to create jobs for Guyanese.”
“It is in this context and having taken into consideration the recent final ruling of the Hon. Chief Justice (ag), Mr. Ian Chang on the budget case, that GINA believes the action the Opposition took in 2012 and 2013 and the same which Mr. Granger is vehemently articulating for 2014, is an expedition in unconstitutionality, and non-adherence to the rule of law.”
“Further, given Mr. Granger’s recent comments, GINA would respectfully like to remind that it is a unit of the Office of the President with a mandate which is no different from similar units across the world which are entrusted to inform on the programmes and policies of the government they serve. It is not dissimilar to the mandate when the Party which Mr. Granger now leads was in government.”