![Leader of the APNU, David Granger. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Granger.jpg)
In a statement issued to the media, Dr. Singh said, “The claim by APNU’s David Granger in the Kaieteur News on January 18, under the article titled ‘APNU says its being sidelined from Budget consultation- will force implementation of reforms if concerns not taken on board’ is a blatant lie and cheap publicity stunt.”
According to Dr. Singh, his most recent email dated January 13, 2014 indicated Government’s invitation to meet on Budget 2014 and requested Mr. Greenidge to suggest a date during the past or coming week.
“The email was also copied to Messrs. David Granger, Lance Carberry, Khemraj Ramjattan, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and Ms. Gail Teixteira. The email also contained copies of documents to be discussed. To date my invitation has been met with stony silence by the Messrs. Granger and Greenidge,” the Finance Minister said.
He further explained that this is not the first invitation that has been issued to the Opposition to discuss the 2014 Budget as a Government team has already initiated discussions with the Opposition in the latter part of 2013.
“I do not wish to speculate on whether this was a case of an internal breakdown in communication in the leadership of APNU between Messrs. Greenidge and Granger, but the fact of the matter is that the Government of Guyana has issued an invitation to the Opposition to meet and that invitation has not received a response. Instead the Opposition appears more interested in engaging in attacks in the media and political grandstanding, regrettably based on misrepresentation of the facts.”
Dr. Singh is advising Mr. Granger to instruct Mr. Greenidge to respond to his email dated January 13, if he has the authority to do so.
The Finance Minister made it clear that Government remains open to meet with the Opposition and looks forward to a response by the APNU to the invitation to advance discussion on Budget 2014.
