Retired brigadier says 2012 is 'a year of hope'

The failed presidential candidate of the opposition grouping, A Partnership for National Unity, says he believes that 2012 could be a "year of hope" for Guyana.

Retired Brigadier David Granger said 2011 sounded the death knell of the ruling People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) style of "winner takes all" following the results of the November 28 general and presidential election in which the opposition parties now control 33 of the 65-seat National Assembly.

"A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change parties, collectively, have been given a mandate from the majority. Their vision is clear and their voices must now be heard. The parties' task will be to advance change through the legislative process in the National Assembly."

Granger said the New Year must be made one of hope for the population at large.

"It must become a year in which our children can look forward to better schools, our youths can expect employment, our workers can feel more secure in their jobs and our women and girls can be safe in their homes and villages. Everyday life in this country must be different from the past 19 years of PPP/C one-party rule," he added.

Granger said 2011 had been a "year of discontent" for the majority of the population.

He said numerous factors, including the high rate of unemployment among the young; the high rate of dropouts from primary and secondary schools; the high cost of living and the high rate of crime, had combined to make life miserable for the majority citizens.