Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said the PPP/C Administration has placed consultative democracy high on its transformative agenda, while noting that the massive community outreaches ongoing by the administration are the ultimate proof of this. The official said this conscionable leadership has been absent for five years, specifically prior to August 2020.
During a media conference on Friday, Dr Jagdeo explained the rationale behind the consultation sessions, noting that the engagements allow residents to communicate directly with policymakers.
Dr Jagdeo said consultations are, “an essential part of our ethos as the People’s Progressive Party, that is keeping in touch with people on the ground, which arose out of the philosophy of our party that we must remain engaged, not aloof in government.”
The best form of engagement, he emphasized, is to gather information directly from the people, cutting out the middleman. He stated that the ultimate test of participatory democracy is allowing the voices of the citizens to be heard.
“And the only way you can have feedback as to what’s really happening in the country, and how your policies are affecting people, is if you go directly on the ground and listen to them,” the Vice President underscored.
He noted that the criticisms emanating from a particular section of society about the government meeting residents at the grass-root level, will not stop the administration’s plans.
“It is an important thing when people can fearlessly stand up and say to the President or any government authority how they feel and even criticize them, that’s good for democracy in a country,” he stressed.
The Vice President pointed out too, that Guyanese have waited for a very long time to have many important issues addressed. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Dr Jagdeo have been leading ministerial outreaches to a number of regions across the country.
