Granger pledges to work in the nation’s interest

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) chairman, David Granger was on January 16 elected leader of the opposition following a meeting of the National Assembly of members of the opposition.

Granger was nominated by APNU executive member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and that nomination was seconded by Dr George Norton, also of APNU. The meeting was called in pursuance of Article 184 of the Constitution to enable the non-government members of the National Assembly to elect the leader of the opposition. Granger was the lone nominee, and was unanimously supported by the 31 members present.

In his remarks, Granger said the 10th Parliament would forever be remembered in the minds of all citizens as a historic occasion in the country’s democratic evolution. He said it would be “memorable in the political history of this country”. The leader of the opposition said it is his belief that the new dispensation would bring about widespread change in the country, “not superficial change but real change in the lives of the ordinary people in this country”. He said: “175,000 Guyanese voted for APNU and AFC on November 28; as you rightly said, Mr Speaker, we are the majority, we, the APNU and the AFC are the majority.

The majority is on our side and we’re on the side of the majority. I wish to reiterate my determination to use this office, a constitutional office, to advance the interests not only of those 175,000 people, but the 750,000 people who depend on us to bring about real change in this country.”

All citizens

According to the newly-elected opposition leader, Monday’s meeting marked the “rebirth of parliamentary democracy as it is meant to function”. He said, “We have witnessed the rebirth of a system in which the votes of the majority will be felt and which the voices of the majority will be heard.”

Granger said he will ensure as opposition leader that the voices of all citizens are heard, stressing that the cry of the people “will not be muted during the life of this Parliament”. He noted that a tremendous responsibility has been placed on him, along with other parliamentarians, to ensure that all Guyanese benefit from every resource the country has to offer.

“For me, I do not see it as a personal triumph, I see it as a movement forward, a movement forward of a process that started many years ago when we pledged that we will establish a system of inclusionary democracy – when we started to work as joint opposition parties to bring an end to winner takes all, and we are the winners and we are not taking all, but we will ensure that the voices of the people are heard and this House will listen and put their desires and demands into effect.” Granger, a retired brigadier, said an office of the opposition leader would be set up outside of his party’s headquarters for all citizens to gain access to him.

“Today, I wish to announce that the Office of Leader of the Opposition, the constitutional office of leader of the opposition, will be located not in a political headquarters but in a public place so that people, in all parties, from all regions will have access to the leader of the opposition with appropriate funding from this noble House.”

He told the media following his election as opposition leader that he is particularly interested in ensuring good governance, strengthening institutions such as the Ombudsman Office, the Public Servant (Service) Appellate Tribunal, along with ensuring that the National Assembly too functions as a more independent body “than it did in the past”.

He added that government must be able to account to the people for all monies spent and collected, and he, as leader, will ensure that accountability is there. He said, “All monies collected must be accounted for”, adding that financial management is crucial.

National Broadcasting Authority

That aside, Granger vowed to take another look at the National Broadcasting Authority. He said through consultations, his party will look at the appointments made. “As long as there is a constitutional provision for the leader of the opposition to be consulted, it will be done on a consultative basis based on the recommendations of APNU,” he stated.

He added that the coalition is not satisfied with the broadcast legislation passed recently. “We are not satisfied and we know that one party or two parties voted for it in the Ninth Parliament, but we are going to look at it again. We have some concerns within APNU, about the powers given to the minister so … we will look at it again.”

In the meantime, Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman said he has no doubt that Granger is the man for the post. He congratulated the new leader of the opposition, noting that it is a proud moment for the country.

“I wish to take this advantage to congratulate you, Honourable Member,… I have no doubt that you will discharge this office to the best of your known abilities. It is a proud moment for Guyana, because in my view the office has taken on a different context and I see you as the majority leader, which is a completely different matter.”

Trotman continued: “Other jurisdictions have given true meaning and real meaning to that terminology, majority leader. This is the first time in the history of Guyana and the history of the Commonwealth jurisdiction, we have a majority leader, it is with great admiration I welcome you to the position and congratulate you.”