By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman has confirmed that President David Granger has commissioned a team to engage the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on the issue of national unity.
Trotman told reporters at a post cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, September 09, 2015 that the team will be led by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and will include other government officials such as Vice Presidents, Khemraj Ramjattan and Carl Greenidge, along with Attorney General Basil Williams, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Ally and himself.
The government believes that Nagamootoo is the best person to lead the talks with the Opposition, despite the fact that the PPP and the Prime Minister share an acrimonious relationship.
“I think we favour… to have Mr. Nagamootoo, who is seen of course as a contentious person in the eyes of the Opposition, out there and upfront because I think in order to have to sincere, genuine long-lasting healing and reconciliation we have to confront the devils that beset us and lessen the way we demonize each other and deal with each other respectfully whether we like each other or not,” Trotman told reporters.
He said that the government has already identified a few areas where they can start building better relations with the Opposition, which will eventually lead to trust and national unity.
On Tuesday, September 08, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo blanked the proposal from Nagamootoo on a National Unity Committee stating that he [Nagamootoo] does not have the authority to make such a proposal.
Jagdeo declared that Nagamootoo’s utterances were not succinct enough to convince him that efforts were abound for national unity. In fact, the Former President opined that the statements were just plain politicking from Nagamootoo.
So true
It is obvious, the Government is foisting Nagamootoo on the Opposition because they don’t have an interest in any unity talks… they have to make it appear that way because of commitment to the ABC countries for creating the environment of inveigling them into power….and now they want to see some semblance of results….he who laughs lst laughs the best !!!! I am sure the PPP is starting to smile and I am waiting for the laugh….