Dear Editor,

The United Republican Party (URP) grieves at all the broken promises made by the ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition during the election campaign resulting in the perilous state of the economy threatening political instability.

Ever since the coalition was awarded power, the economy has been on a downward slide. During this holiday season, people from all walks of life are grieving having lost confidence in the ability of the coalition to improve their lives. This is the worst holiday season in recent memory. Businesses are complaining of slow sales as compared with previous years. Consumers are also complaining of a dull end-of-year holiday season as they cannot afford many items that go with the holidays. All the while, the APNU/AFC coalition is legislating to provide themselves with financial security.

While most people cannot afford basic needs, civil servants and pensioners are given a five per cent raise; the Government officials doubled their salary and secured for themselves benefits that ordinary people cannot afford. They are out for their own prosperity.

The coalition calls for shared governance, but fires workers who are supporters or sympathisers of the Opposition parties and it has removed almost everyone who was appointed by the PPP. How could there be shared governance if APNU/AFC is unwilling to work with PPP appointees? Worst, the leading advocates against corruption are now perpetuating the worst forms of corruption. The latest example of blatant corruption by APNU/AFC is the awarding of a contract worth billions of dollars to complete the Specialty Hospital to a company without any advertising, any tendering. While condemning the PPP for giving contracts to favoured contractors and friends, the APNU/AFC has done worse giving contracts to their friends and favoured business partners. Nothing has really changed. Crime is at an all-time high. Money is wasted on forensic auditing carried out by friends of the regime who are known for their biases. APNU/AFC promised to consult with the nation before undertaking legislation; it is yet to do so despite passing so many bills.

Unless the regime changes course and begins to consult with civic society and all the parties, inclusive of the minor parties like the URP, economic and political conditions will continue to deteriorate and standards of living dwindle.

The coalition promised greater transparency than its predecessor, but instead it was governing behind closed doors refusing to answer public concerns. Government promised it would guarantee a market for rice and $9000 a bag for paddy, but today farmers are only getting between $600 and $2200 depending on paddy grading.   But now it tells farmers they are on their own and it is not Government’s business to secure money or markets for their rice or paddy.

The Government has failed to respond to the concerns of the ordinary person. The Government has disappointed the nation that cried for change last May. The URP joins with the nation in calling for better governance in which people will be consulted on legislation and economically empowered so their standard of living will improve.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bandhu

Leader URP