Youth Movement opposes calls to revise Harmon’s powers
The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) is opposed to recent calls for the powers of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon to be revised.
The Movement also said that it stands resolute in support of the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, President David Granger as he reminded the nation a few days ago that –”Coalition politics is here to stay”.
The GYSM said that the political landscape of the country has been transformed with the advancement of Coalition Politics. It noted that the greatest asset that the coalition possesses is its willingness to work together, to see the transformation of Guyana and the realization of the promise of a ‘Good Life for all Guyanese’.
It said however that it is “somewhat disheartening” to note some of the recent utterances by factions within the coalition as it relates to miscommunication and misgivings internally.
The Youth Movement commented, “The marriage which we all witnessed on February 14, 2015 introduced a breath of fresh air to the people of our country. Our country, which was rescued from dissension and impoverishment by the incompetence of the PPPC over the last two decades, now stands to gain tremendously as we reaffirm the commitment that the days of one party rule came to an end on May 11 2015.”
It added that the achievements of the APNU+AFC coalition to date are far greater in comparison to the challenges that it faces, and pivotal to these achievements and the country’s continued revival are the duties and powers of the Office of the Minister of State.
The Youth Movement said it is for the aforementioned reason that it rejects calls for “any so-called” stripping of the powers of the said office.
The GYSM said that it stands firmly behind the decision of the President and the authorities he has vested in the Office of the Minister of State.
The Youth Movement said it recognizes that the single greatest threat the APNU+AFC coalition faces is the constant attacks by the PPPC, whose primary objective is to see its failure. It said that no effort is being spared as the Opposition contrives and executes dastardly plans; manipulating facts and misleading its supporters in an effort to stir up strife and insight unrest in our country.
It opined that even amid perceived controversy, the APNU+AFC Coalition remains strong. The GYSM asserted that it will spare no effort in ensuring that the interest of Guyanese remains on the front burner, “as we move forward steadfastly with a unified front”.
Earlier this week, the Alliance For Change (AFC) explained that its leaders recently attended a leadership retreat as part of an ongoing effort to review the party’s performance and to discuss a number of issues of concern to the party.
Among the matters discussed at the retreat was the issue of the appointment of businessman, Brian Tiwarie as Ministerial Advisor on Business Development by the Minister of State in addition to other revelations in the public domain.
The Alliance for Change said that the current difficulties which the government has encountered as a result of the continuing revelations, have their roots in the concentration of the powers of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency and the effective Head of the Presidential Secretariat in a single person.
It noted that the responsibilities of each of the above portfolios are substantial and of critical importance to the smooth operations of the Government and would benefit from separate appointments.
