Granger sounds conciliatory tone despite PPP walkout on him

Last Updated on Thursday, 13 October 2016, 15:17 by Denis Chabrol

President David Granger on Thursday hoped that the walkout by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) parliamentarians just as he was about to address the National Assembly would not be a obstacle to “compromise and consensus.”

“Let us hope that despite the absence of the opposition today, we will continue to search for and find avenues for compromise and consensus,” he told the Parliament on the first day of its resumption of sittings after the two-month recess. “The two sides of this House have not always disagreed. They have found common ground in the pursuit of the common good.”

Earlier during the salutations in his address, the President remarked “no opposition” and then went on to say “it seems that some people are still in recess but this is an important time in our lives and we are here for important business.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Wednesday night announced that the PPPC parliamentarians would not have been listening to the President’s address and subject themselves to be subjected to a lecture on good governance when the President was doing exactly the opposite.

Jagdeo has cited Granger and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon inviting Public Service Commission, Carville Duncan, a constitutionally protected office-holder, to discussions on having him demit office voluntarily.

The President has since suspended Duncan from the PSC until the hearing and determination of his future by a Tribunal that has been appointed to examine whether he should not be removed because of criminal charges he is facing in the Magistrates’ Court.

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has announced that he has already mounted a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of setting up the Tribunal although he still acing traol for allegedly  stealing almost GYD$1 million in director’s fees from the Guyana Power and Light.