President says gov’t will abide by No-Confidence motion

President David Granger has said the Government will abide by the stipulations which have been imposed on it following Friday’s No Confidence vote.

“This is a constitutional process which can have favourable outcomes for the nation.

“There is no cause for alarm and there are no grounds for any form of disorder and we will continue to work to provide a good government and deliver public services to the people and to work even more closely with the opposition,” President David Granger is quoted by his office as saying.

Article 106 (7) of the Constitution requires that the government resign and call elections in three months; the current government will remain in place until the new government is sworn in.  

“We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted,” President Granger stated.

He said the government will hold talks with its coalition partners, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and those who are part of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The President said too that he is anxious to engage Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo on any concerns he may have and assures the Guyanese people “that this is not a crisis which could dissolve into any type of confrontation.”

“Mr. Jagdeo contacted the Minister of State and a meeting will be arranged as early as possible so that his concerns can be addressed,” the Head of State confirmed.

President Granger met with “some ministers this morning, who will henceforth be engaging the AFC ministers,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

The National Assembly voted 33-32 for a motion of No Confidence in the government moved by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

The PPP has 32 seats in the House but one the majority with AFC Parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud defected and voted in support of the motion.