The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had high expectations when it received an oral and late invitation to meet with His Excellency President David Granger among other civil society organisations on July 25, 2019. Indeed, it was the first time that the Federation had been invited to meet with His Excellency since he took office in May, 2015.
It was, therefore, most disheartening that the Federation, which was represented by its President, Carvil Duncan, left the engagement disheartened. Indeed, we find ourselves having more questions than answers. While we recognise that the President had sought to defend his Government’s action or inaction, as the case may be, it appeared that His Excellency has largely ignored what we contend is the clear ruling and orders by the CCJ. Much of what the President shared with the representatives of civil society is what we and the Guyanese people have been hearing for far too long.
For us it was surprising to learn from President Granger that the Court cannot order elections. This is in stark contradiction to acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire who opined, mere hours ago, that the CCJ compelled that elections be held by September 18 barring any extension by the National Assembly. It seems the President, like an ostrich, is burying his head in the sand as he seeks to ignore the clear realities of our times.
The almost immediate departure of the President following his remarks, for us, represents a collective insult to civil society which speaks on behalf of Guyanese from all strata of society. While we are not sure of the motivations for His Excellency’s actions, it is not a good sign and does not help to convince that President Granger and his ‘caretaker’ Government are in the right or abiding by the constitution in this respect.
