By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Despite the fact that the main opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – will not participate in any budget consultations, the country’s President is still hopeful that the APNU will change its mind.
President Ramotar at his first press conference for 2014 told reporters that the APNU’s decision to refrain from the consultation is a regrettable one.
APNU’s Executive Member, Carl Greeindge told iNews during an interview that the government has not been forthcoming with the information that the APNU requested.
Greenidge admitted that the APNU was indeed invited to budget talks by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, however, according to Greenidge, the Minister did not provide certain information which he promised, thus the APNU refused to partake in any discussions in that regard.
Notwithstanding the APNU’s position, President Ramotar said that his Government remains open for discussions, noting that on one hand the APNU wants to be involved in the budget preparation process, and on the other, they are not willing to cooperate.
“We have sent invitations to them… we still have a lot of time for consultations…we have an open door for them to make suggestions. Last year, documents were sent to them and we are still ready to have consultations with them as far as the budget process is concerned,” the President said.
According to the President, he has been informed by his Finance Minister that whatever documents were requested by the Opposition were sent to them (both the APNU and AFC).
