Minister Trotman welcomes resumption of talks between government and opposition

DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 20, 2018

The Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, said his party is elated that long overdue bipartisan discussions on topics of national interest will resume between the President and Leader of the Opposition.

The announcement of the resumption of talks was made today at a post-Cabinet press briefing. The AFC is part of the coalition administration and Trotman also serves as Minister of Natural Resources in the government.

President David Granger has agreed to lead the talks with Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, in the interest of moving the process forward.

Trotman said at Parliament Buildings today,

“Our main concern is whether or not former President Jagdeo is sincere. We urge the PPPC to engage. There is a lot to be determined and decided particularly in the area of oil and gas, national security, border issues national development.” 

Talks were initiated in 2015 with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo leading the government side but were discontinued because the Opposition Leader did not want to work with the Prime Minister.

Trotman assured that the Prime Minister has not been slighted by the president’s decision. “Knowing him as I do, he has always been for national dialogue and will have no hesitation in stepping aside in the greater interest,” Trotman said.

The coalition government has expressed it is open to dialogue with stakeholders in the interest of advancing the country’s development.

By: Tiffny Rhodius.

Image: Jules Gibson.