The PPPC War on the people

7/30/2019 The PPPC War on the people

1/133

1

The Executive War on the Legislative Branch

Selected Reports ofThe Government Information Agency

Georgetown, GuyanaJanuary-November, 2012
http://gina.gov.gy/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_0477.jpg


2/133

2

Contents___________

1. Combined Opposition, January 11, 2012.2. We have to get on with Govt business, January 14, 2012.3. Govt will not allow intricate Parliament deliberations, January 25, 2012.4. Oppositions behaviour in National Assembly reckless, February 16, 2012.5. Opposition non- cooperation over Supplementary Bill, February 16, 2012.6. APNU-AFC Parliamentary Alliance, February 16, 2012.7. One-seat majority should not be used, February 22, 2012.8. One-seat majority continues, February 29, 2012.9. Govt seeks legal redress, March 7, 2012.10.Opposition seeking to undermine projects, March 14, 2012.11. Ruling Partys objections on composition of committees, March 14, 2012.12.Oppositions objections against supplementary papers, March 16, 2012.13.Parliament should await court ruling, March 16, 2012.14.Opposition guilty of Constitutional violation, March 16, 2012.15.Parliamentary committees make-up, March 17, 2012.16.Established parliamentary rules, March 21, 2012.17.Opposition violation of Constitution, March 23, 2012.18.APNU continues to sow confusion, March 23, 2012.19.Opposition alliance reckless and relentless, March 28, 2012.20.Opposition back peddles, March 30, 2012.21.Oppositions budget presentations political rhetoric, April 17, 2012.22.Parliament cannot dismiss workers willy-nilly, April 18, 2012.23.Opposition alliance unprincipled, vindictive, May 9, 201224.NICIL issue concocted and fabricated by Opposition, May 9, 201225.Oppositions motions question legality of legislation, May 9, 201226.

Govt forced to engage in parliamentary battles, May 9, 201227.Opposition reneges on agreements, May 11, 2012.

28.Oppositions Motions in Parliament reek of unpatriotic sentiments, May 16, 2012.29.Govt moving to court to challenge OP budget cuts, May 23, 201230.Govt seeks Conservatory Order from High Court. June 6, 201231.Approval of financial Paper Nine is an acid test, June 7, 2012.32.Govt maintains National Assembly cannot cut Budget, June 7, 2012.33.Opposition budget cuts aimed at collapsing Govt, June 8, 2012.34.Constitutional crisis referred to by Speaker, June 9, 2012.35.I will not assent to Opposition bills that lack Executives input, June 13, 201236.Opposition reveals insincerity about restoring budget cuts, June 14, 2012.37.Two important Govt Bills to be read today in parliament, June 27, 201238.Motions tabled and passed by Opposition, June 28, 201239.Opposition extra-budgetary agencies motion, June 28, 201240.Opposition seeks to violate FMA Act, June 30, 2012.41.Govt has strong case, July 3, 201242.Unprepared Opposition asks for more time, July 4, 2012.43.Decision pending in Attorney Generals budget cuts case, July 10, 201244.Opposition, Parliament, Executive and Judiciary, July 13, 2012.45.2012 Budget cuts unconstitutional - CJs verdict, July 18, 2012


3/133

3

46.Oppositions no-confidence motion in Minister Rohee, July 24, 2012.47.No confidence motion against Home Affairs Minister, July 25, 201248.Only President can remove Minister, July 26, 2012.49.Parliament has no jurisdiction over a Ministers appointment, July 26, 2012.50.Opposition Motion to remove Home Affairs Minister, July 31, 2012.51.Motion to remove Govt Minister is impotent, July 31, 2012.52.Oppositions no-confidence motion premature, August 2, 2012.53.Govt to approach Parliament for funds, August 3, 201254.Govt debunks oppositions motion, August 3, 201255.Govt MPs bemoan opposition leadership, August 5, 2012.56.Opposition again votes down funds for Presidents Office, August 9, 2012.57.Oppositions refusal to restore cut funds, August 10, 2012.58.Parliamentary opposition showed its hand, August 17, 2012.59.Parliamentary opposition tables motions, August 27, 2012.60.Opposition has a glorious role as a majority, August 31, 2012.61.Budget experience has fortified Govt resolve, September 1, 2012.62.2012 Budget cuts Court case to take its normal course, September 6, 201263.

AG issues high court challenge, September 14, 2012.64.AG Nandlall responds to APNU statements, September 20, 2012

65.Govt prepared to fight against unjust assaults, October 11, 2012.66.Tenth Parliament lapsing, October 13, 2012.67.Clerks office Bill repugnant, unconstitutional, October 18, 2012.68.Concerns mount about Parliamentary norms, October 19, 2012.69.Opposition fails to prevent Minister Rohee from speaking, October 22, 2012.70.Motion on Independence of National Assembly not passed, October 23, 2012.71.Opposition using civil unrest as a justified tool, October 24, 2012.72.Oppositions attempts to obstruct Minister, October 25, 2012.73.New polls no solution to parliamentary uncertainties, October 31, 2012.74.Opposition fails to prove Minister Rohee culpable, November 1, 2012.75.Cabinet registers concern, November 8, 2012.76.Speaker rules Rohee must stay, November 9, 2012.77.Government condemns Oppositions disregard, November 9, 2012.78.Govt MPs condemn Opposition, November 10, 2012.79.Parliament becoming stage for antics of extremists, November 15, 2012.80.No parliamentary opposition move, November 20, 2012.81.Parliament will be a testing of mettle PPPC MPs, November 21, 2012.82.Prospects of constructive Parliamentary engagement, November 21, 2012.83.Motion to gag Home Affairs Minister Rohee totally wrong, November 23, 2012.84.Oppositions rejection of democratic traditions, November 23, 2012.85.Speakers ruling contradictory and a travesty, November 24, 2012.86.Govt to take steps to defend Minister Rohee, November 24, 2012.87.Referral to Privileges Committee, November 24, 2012.88.Govt moves to High Court, November 27, 2012.89.Opposition lost golden opportunity to work with Govt, November 28, 2012.90.Govt rejects weird logic, disregard for Standing Orders, November 30, 2012.


4/133

4

1. Combined Opposition undermining initial tripartite agreement-Govt to nominate Ramkarran as Speaker,January 11, 2012

Government has reiterated its disappointment in the A Partnership for National Unity(APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFCs) side-stepping in the tripartite initiative

to negotiate the speakership and other matters relating to Parliament, whichdeliberately undermines the approach that was initially agreed on in December.

Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, who filled in for Head of thePresidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon who is overseas, at a post-Cabinetpress briefing at the Office of the President said that this has been a serious breach earlyin before the convening of the Parliament.

The fact that the combined Opposition has only one seat more than the Governmentshould not be construed as a cart blanche to run the National Assembly to the detrimentof an elected Government and the people of this nation, Teixeira said. Cabinetreiterated that the actions of the combined Opposition in the face of their declaredpronouncements during the 2011 elections campaign of bringing in a new politicalculture and a willingness to work for national unity has been undermined by their recentactions.

Teixeira recalled statements made by APNUs Presidential Candidate, David Granger tothe effect that his Party was willing to work with the PPP/C, win or lose. Government,on January 9, wrote to the two parliamentary political parties; reminding them of theagreements that were reached in December to name representatives to the tripartiteinitiative and to reaffirm its interest in meeting. With regards to the proclamation of theconvening of the Tenth Parliament, Teixeira said that it is in keeping with theconstitutional mandate and honours the request of the Opposition Parties to postpone

the convening in December.

Speakership

We recognised that the issue of speakership is of extreme importance but the businessof the nation; economic growth, political stability, continuation of the pro-poor/progrowth programmes and in particularly, expansion of the poverty reductionprogrammes are of the greatest priorities to the Government, the Presidential Advisorsaid.

Making references to other minority Governments in the world, she explained that in a

Commonwealth Parliament, the ruling Party gets the speakership and with regards tothe Speaker, Government has expressed the view that the current Speaker, RalphRamkarran is best suited to preside over the Tenth Parliament. Parliament Speakers arenot generally changed unless they have passed on or tender their resignation; at presentRamkarran is Speaker-elect.

Whoever is the Speaker is expected to be fair and impartial and not be an impedimentto Government business they are expected to fulfill that mandate with an even-hand


5/133

5

and Ramkarran has demonstrated thisGovernment will go to the Parliament to putforward his nomination and vote for him, she said. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds willresume his initial post as Leader of the House; while Teixeira will be the new Chief Whipfor the Government.

2.We have to get on with Govt business Prime Minister Hinds-despiteoppositions charade,January 14, 2012

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds during a discussion programme aired on the NationalCommunication Network, this evening said that Government is committed tocontinuing its work since the ruling party has the largest bloc of parliamentarians andthere is an absolute need for parliament to get on with the business of the country.

The Tenth Parliament convened on Thursday last with the Speaker and Deputy Speakerof the National Assembly being elected from the camps of the Opposition, the first timein Guyanas history that such a situation has occurred in the National Assembly. PrimeMinister Hinds who was joined by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said a lot oflearning in procedural things must take place by all the political parties involved, whichwould be extended to members of the public so that they can have reasonableexpectations from the parliamentary sittings. This learning process would alsoencompass not only the expectations of our Guyanese people but, it will also address theissue of how government can functionthere are lots of things that need to be donealong the way at different times, taking into consideration the budget amongst otherthings, Hinds said.

Hinds further noted that the partys Chief Whip Presidential Advisor on Governance,Gail Teixeira has made a study on minority situations particularly in the Caribbean and99% of the times, the opposition has allowed the nominee of the government to become

Speaker of the National Assembly. This did not turn out that way in parliament when itwas convened, nevertheless we have to get on with the business of the government sothat citizens can benefitthat is what our party and government intends on doing,Hinds said.

That would be the focus of the governmentin some matters there may be differencesin viewthere may be earnest honest differences on various mattersone can imaginethat on some issues there may have a combination where two of the three parties sharethe same view on some matter, Hinds said.

Rehashing the occurrences of the deliberations which were initiated after the

declaration of the positions of the November 28, 2011 polls, Hinds noted that initialdiscussions were held by President Donald Ramotar and other senior members of thePPP/C party with members of APNU and AFC as it pertains to the nomination of theSpeaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, however the PPP/C believesthat the other parties did not play through with its expectations of appointing Mr. RalphRamkarran as speaker for the Tenth parliament.


6/133

6

Nevertheless, Mr. Trotman is appointed as Speaker of the National Assembly...he istherefore expected to hold the balance in parliament, acting as fairly and evenhandedlyas anyone couldWe on the governments side would need to get on with ourprogrammes and advance the business of the countryeven President Donald Ramotarduring the campaign season spoke about getting on with the economic and social

development of the countrythat is what we certainly want to get on with, Hindsreiterated.

Minister Rohee said that the entire proceedings and the manner in which the speakerwas elected seems to be farcical, as it is something that appears to be well pre-arrangedby the joint opposition. It was interesting to note that sections of the media already hadan indication of what was going to happen on Thursdaythis historical antecedencewhereby the government would win the executive and the majority of the house, itwould graciously concede the deputy speaker, as a matter of tradition, to theoppositionAPNU and the AFC conspired for some time to hog everything forthemselveshaving lost the executive and having won the majority in the NationalAssembly, they decided to occupy other positionsthis is the tip of the ice-berg in whatis expected to come, Minister Rohee said.

Minister Rohee further said that he has mixed feelings about the workability of thecurrent parliamentary setup. Mr. Granger and Roopnarine (Rupert) have already madeit clear that they have an agenda that they are going to push, and on the other hand theyare saying that they are not going to block the passage of bills and motions made by thegovernmentthis is a charadeit ought not to have been because it is inconsistent withbest practices in democratic countries, Minister Rohee said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall and Former Minister ofLocal Government and Regional Development Clinton Collymore, in a similar

discussion programme on Thursday last, similarly spoke out on the actions of the jointopposition in nominating a Speaker. Nandlall said that the oppositions action is anindication of what is expected from them during the sittings of the Tenth parliamentwhich means that the business of the government may not proceed.

Veteran parliamentarian Collymore said the current setting of parliament is biased andseemingly racial in nature as Afro-Guyanese hold the key positions in parliament. Theopposition leader would have to be Mr. Granger, Mr. Trotman is the Speaker, DeborahBacker is Deputy Speakerthere are no IndiansMr. Ramjattan nor Mr. Nagamootoogot any positionsthis was manipulated to project an ethnic preponderance and issomething that we cannot have right now in Guyana, Collymore said.

The Tenth Parliament was convened on January 10, 2012. Whilst is was governmentsintention of having productive discussions with members of the opposition after which aSpeaker and Deputy Speaker for the National Assembly would have been agreed upon,the joint opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change(AFC) used their one seat majority to elect attorneys Raphael Trotman and DeborahBacker as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, overlooking Senior Counsel RalphRamkarran who was the governments nominee.


7/133

7

3. Govt will not allow intricate Parliament deliberations to hinderdevelopmental thrust- HPS - decries political heist of speaker, deputy speaker

positions,January 25, 2012

Government has reiterated its position in support of engaging the two parliamentaryOpposition Parties (APNU and AFC) in discussions in areas of mutual concern;however, it has made it clear that it is not in any way obligated to pander to a TenthParliament, whose deliberations will frustrate and prevent implementation of itsdevelopment thrust, as it is still the governing party.

This position was affirmed by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. RogerLuncheon at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the Presidenttoday. The HPS maintained that Government stands ready to honour its December 2011commitment with the two Opposition Parties; however, given the evolution of thetripartite initiative which saw the APNU and the AFC collaborating; taking a unilateralstance, engagements with Government on important matters have been stymied.

The Cabinet Secretary stated that notwithstanding the denials, the APNU and the AFCscollaboration, managed to pull off one of the major political heist in Guyanasparliamentary history, which, even the PNC-Burnhamite dictatorship never stooped to.He added that what is even more significant was the elected speakers notionalcommitment to parliamentary impartiality, even though he is said to be inclined toretain his appointment as the representative of the AFCs list.

The questions that Cabinet and many Guyanese are now dealing with are what can beexpected from this alliance? And will the AFC collate further with APNU, acting as asingle parliamentary party in the Parliament? What is constantly being unnoticed bythe two Opposition Parties is that the PPP/C is still the majority, as it is the only Party

with the most seats among the three in Parliament and therefore, its role in decision-making can hardly be ignored. Moreover, the ruling Party expects its concerns to beproperly and holistically addressed in the Parliament, particularly as it relates toadvancing the interests of citizens.

Another concern Dr. Luncheon said is whether or not they will extend the memorandumof understanding (which was signed between the APNU and the AFC for futurecooperation) and collectively turn their attention to the composition and thechairmanship of parliamentary committees. The Governments developmental thrustfor Guyana is on the line particularly because Parliament has an important contributionto make in the implementation of this thrust. Over the last two terms, the Eighth and

the Ninth Parliament we have seen that design of that developmental thrust, he said.

A meeting of the tripartite initiative is being planned so as to get a mutually satisfactoryoutcome on the list of matters proposed by the three Parties before the February 10sitting of the National Assembly, at which President Donald Ramotar is expected to givean address.


8/133

8

After being reminded via a letter, the APNU and the AFC have finally submitted thenames of their high representatives. The former submitted the names of JosephHarmon and Deborah Backer; while Gerhard Ramsaroop and Clayton Hall will berepresenting the latter.

4.

Oppositions behaviour in National Assembly reckless and irresponsible,February 16, 2012

The joint parliamentary oppositions non-approval of sections of financial paper numberseven of 2011 and number eight of 2011 is classified as irresponsible and recklessbehaviour by the government. These sentiments were expressed by Peoples ProgressiveParty Civics Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister ofFinance Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, whoconvened a post-assembly media-briefing after this evenings adjournment of theNational Assembly.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds expressed disappointment in the manner in which todaysproceedings developed. We are very disappointed in how things went this afternoon inthe House in particular. Four of our heads were not carried in the replenishment of ourcontingencies fund and we find it very astonishing that monies that were spent inhosting the investiture of the orders of Guyana, that it was disallowed along withexpenditure on the swearing in of the new president, Prime Minister Hinds said.

Hinds said that things collapsed on the issue of the very standard arrangements that aremade to bring into the consolidated fund the monies that have been advanced in theforeign funded projects. This has been seen all along as a matter of a book entry,entering this money into the books of our country and there could hardly be questions oflack of transparency as all of these foreign funded projects are listed in detailed and

made publicthey also appear in detail in the budget, the sections that deal with capitalprojectsthis may be a matter of form and formatting, Hinds said.

Mr. Hinds believes that the act of the joint parliamentary opposition to not approve thefinancial obligations but rather hold out that government should return with theproposals is disappointing and irresponsible, as in one instance it dealt with thepayment of wages to staff of the General Registers Office for overtime work during theregistration period of elections.

Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh said the matter of bringing financial papers to theparliament for approval is a process that is governed by applicable law and has the

benefit of time honoured parliamentary custom and practice. Over the years precedingthe tenth parliament and the governments successive terms in office financial papershave been brought to parliament both to seek original supplementary appropriationsand to clear advances made by the contingencies fund for the purposes of replenishingthat fund, Minister Singh said.

Minister Singh believes that the coming together of the opposition to withhold approvalof very legitimate expenditure that was incurred in accordance with the law is very


9/133

9

alarming. What we witnessed today was the coming together of the APNU and the AFCto withhold parliamentary imprimatur being granted to expenditure that was incurredfrom the contingencies fund in accordance with the lawthis expenditure was incurredin the interest of providing goods and services to the people of Guyana, Minister Singhsaid.

The Finance Minister believes that it is astonishing to see that approval was withheldafter items such as expenditure incurred for the payment of staff of the GeneralRegisters Office (GRO) during the ongoing Registration period as the staff workedovertime to ensure that eligible persons receive their birth certificates so to be qualifiedto vote.

At the time that the decision was approved for the payment of the staff of the GRO theMinistry of Home Affairs requested a sum to be paid to the people and it was granteddetails have been provided in depth as to who these people are and the hours worked,nevertheless it was still not approved one has to ask oneself on what purpose wasapproval withheld on a matter like this, Minister Singh said.

The Finance Minister believes that the action of the joint parliamentary opposition is anindication of their intentions to frustrate the parliamentary sessions and stymie thecontinued development of the country, which is a direct threat to tripartite budget andother talks.

Meanwhile Teixeira said that the joint parliamentary oppositions behaviour in todaysproceedings demonstrated the level of their willingness to cooperate and collaboratewith government for the continued development of the country. The voting of APNUagainst expenditure for business in the hinterland locations, a $2.7M electrificationrelated projects saw APNU breaking ranks with AFC as the vote was not lostthe count

of the vote was 39 for and 24 against with AFC voting for and APNU voting againstthisindicates that the opposition, particularly APNU is saying that they want to seedevelopment for Guyana but on the other hand their behaviour contradicts it, Teixeirasaid.

Teixeira also said that it blows ones mind to think of such reckless behaviour on thepart of the opposition as their action indicates explicitly their unwillingness to workcollaboratively and cooperatively with government. Their actions today not onlydisappoint the governments side but also the people who voted for them as they showthat they are not in favour to stand by their own words of putting Guyana first andstymieing the process of development of the countrythis also threatens the process of

tripartite collaboration but nevertheless government will remain committed to engagingthe opposition in talks, Teixeira said.

5. Opposition non-cooperation over Supplementary Bill stymies Govtwork, February 16, 2012

Governments much anticipated fear of gridlock, which President Donald Ramotarwarned of in his address to the Tenth Parliament, today came to pass in the National


10/133

10

Assembly today as it tried to find common ground with the Parliamentary Opposition, APartnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC), with regards tofinancial papers seven and eight of 2011.

The two papers totalling, $2,240,901,071 and $3,471,047,823 respectively, seeking

approval for expenditure met from the contingencies fund late last year were tabled byMinister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on February 10 in the National Assembly.Financial paper seven was debated and was amended before being approved, as theOpposition refused to support certain provisions that were being sought, key amongwhich was the provision that was sought for expenses associated with the nationalinvestiture ceremony and other events hosted by the State.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill said that the expenditureassociated with the investiture ceremony totalled over $10M; noting that this activitywas not catered for in the 2011 national budget. He explained further, that due to thefact that this ceremony had a five-year hiatus, they had to cater for 131 nationalawardees.

APNU member Carl Greenidge proceeded to ask for a breakdown of how the $25M wasspent by the Office of the President. This was provided to the House by Minister Edghill;it includes $10M for the investiture ceremony, $5M for the swearing-in of the newPresident and the Cabinet, $1.5M went towards supporting two national sports inGuyana (cricket and football), and donations amounting to $8M went towards a numberof organisations including the sum that made available to support ACDAs activities tocommemorate the International Year of People of African Descent (IYPAD).

Another major objection by the Opposition that left Government members mind-boggled was to the $6.5M that was sought for the payment of honorarium for staff of the

General Register Office (GRO) who worked during the second claims and objectionsperiod leading up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections, to ensure that Guyanesewere not disenfranchised.

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, under whose responsibility the GRO falls,said that 53 people from that office had to be paid overtime to ensure that these vitalsource documents were made available. He went on to provide details that theseemployees worked a total of 336 hours; producing 18,000 birth certificates. A divisionwas called on this particular item; resulting in 31 members voted in favour of it, while 32voted against it; as such, it was defeated.

In capital estimates of the same paper, the $29.1M that was sought for infrastructuralworks with regards to the Specialty Hospital received no support from with Oppositionparty, as they question the provision on the basis that the project was being funded by aloan. Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran in his response, said that the sum beingsought is meet expenses associated with the land preparation at the site where thisstate-of-the-art facility will be constructed.


11/133

11

This answer was supported by Minister Singh who explained that the loan provided bythe India Exim Bank will cover the cost of construction and acquisition of certain basicequipment; however, it does not cover costs associated with site preparation.After several calls for vote by division, the amended financial paper seven was approved;however, instead of the original sum $2,240,901,071, it was revised and reduced to $2,

161,281, 593.

Financial paper eight did not receive the support of the Opposition. APNU fullysupported by the AFC called for Government to withdraw the supplementary paper andresubmit it after it would have been restructured with more details of the expenditure.Minister Singh in response maintained that there is no basis for such a request;emphasizing that Government is more than prepared to answer any question that theOpposition may have and on many previous occasions, submitted detailed informationto members of the House.

He explained that there are two types of financial papers that are brought to theNational Assembly; one that seeks parliamentary approval imprimatur for advancesmade from the contingencies fund, which is provided for and governed by the FiscalManagement and Accountability Act 2003.

The second type of financial paper, he described as a straight supplementary; notadvances withdrawn from the contingencies fund to meet urgent, unforeseeableexpenditures. This in turn, comprises two different types of expenditures, local andforeign.

Paper eight, he said, refers to the second type of expenditure, in the second category offinancial papers. We are asking merely for approval of specific appropriation, whichthe national estimates clearly outlined I am taken completely by surprise by the

Opposition, we have no difficulty answering any questions, he said. Greenidge,notwithstanding Minister Singhs explanation and appeal for the Opposition toreconsider their position with regards to paper eight, maintained that it should berestructured.

After the House reached this impasse, a suspension was called during whichGovernment members tried to negotiate with the Opposition in an effort at a consensus;thereby advancing the business of citizenry. However, all efforts proved futile, as bothOpposition parties held true to their position. Deputy Speaker, Deborah Backer, whopresided over the sitting, then called for an adjournment, as this is the first time that theParliament of Guyana has arrived at such a crossroad and as such, she had to be advised

on the next step forward.

The House stands adjourned until March 15, at which time, this matter will be furtherdiscussed.

6. APNU-AFC Parliamentary Alliance and its Reckless Parliamentary Agenda,February 16, 2012


12/133

12

The National Assembly of Guyana in its third sitting in 2012 has again made a decision thatviolated the Constitution, the laws of Guyana and a commitment made by the ParliamentaryPolitical Parties during the tripartite talks to work together in the interest of Guyana.Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh had tabled on February 10, 2012, Financial Papers No. 7 &8 for the consideration of the House. The Financial Papers disclosed expenditure made throughsupplementary provisions by the Administration in Fiscal year 2011 in accordance with existing

law. The law provided for the Minister, at the earliest opportunity subsequently, to present forthe consideration of the House the expenditure so incurred.

The initial reactions of the APNU/AFC Parliamentary alliance to the February 10 tabling wereuncompromisingly hostile with threats ranging from outright rejection to censure, amongothers. The alliance continued its rhetoric about unlawful expenditure. The alliance inexamining the Financial Papers 7 & 8, selectively withheld its authorization of variousexpenditure items. The principle that the expenditure made by the Minister and outlined in theFinancial Papers 7 & 8 was in conformity with the existing law was repeatedly rejected by the

APNU/AFC Parliamentary alliance.

In that context, at the Committee of Supply, the alliance rejected expenditure related to

Office of the President procurement of security surveillance goods and services, expenditure onNational Events and Ceremonies, specifically the national awards and the inauguration ofPresident Ramotar. Also rejected at that level was the expenditure for overtime paid to publicofficers at General Registrars Office earned during the Claims and Objections periods leadingup to the 2011 General and Regional elections.Most bewildering was the APNU/AFC comprehensive rejection of expenditure associated withthe Specialty Hospital construction and site preparation. Looking ahead, the APNU/AFCalliance seems intent on cherry picking and rejecting selective items of expenditure.It is anticipated that they will use their voting strength to authorise the expenditure for onlythose items favourably considered at the level of the Committee of Supply thus rejectingrecklessly all the other items of expenditure.

Once again the APNU/AFC Parliamentary alliance has signaled its intention to continue on thecourse of confrontation using their combined vote in the National Assembly for partisanpolitical interests. Regrettably, the APNU/AFC combined vote in Parliament has now been usedon three (3) consecutive occasions in two sittings to undermine constitutionality and todisregard parliamentary norms and traditions. The very first time, and unparalleled in thehistory of the legislature in Guyana, the APNU/AFC collaborated to have both the Speaker andthe Deputy Speaker to belong on the same side of the House. On the second occasion, the

APNU/AFC combined vote was used to establish a composition of the Committee of Selectionthat ignored the constitutional principle of proportionality among the parties thereinrepresented.In this the latest and the third time, the APNU/AFC alliance rejected authorizing lawful

expenditure by the Administration that was outlined in Financial Papers 7 & 8. These threeconsecutive acts have conjured the spectacle of the Parliamentary opposition partiescollaborating on frustrating the implementation of the PPP/C Executive Parliamentaryprogram.

7. One-seat majority should not be used to hinder Guyanasdevelopment- HPS- Oppositions ill-conceived actions should be rejected,

February 22, 2012


13/133

13

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet pressbriefing at the Office of the President today said that the one-seat majority that theOpposition hold in Parliament, should not be used by them, as an opportunity to rendercounter-productive measures in Guyanas development.

He noted that the sitting of the Tenth Parliament thus far, moreso the last one, continueto be a matter of concern for Cabinet as the attempts by the A Partnership for NationalUnity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) to undo and revise laws, rules andconventions, took an unprecedented turn on February 16. Cabinet recognised the ill-advised and not well thought-out intrigues by the coalition that played out on that dayand is deeply concerned about the uncertainty of its likely impact, the HPS said.

Mature judgment and enhanced changes were called for by Cabinet in order to chart theway forward, as the preferred approach in dealing with issues surrounding Guyanasdevelopment that was being handled at the level of the National Assembly.This specterof that body unravelling Guyanas development agenda with ill-conceived actions,Cabinet insisted must be rejected and called for more thoughtful engagements at this,the highest level of the land, the Cabinet Secretary said.

He added that the current dispensation in the National Assembly provides an amplechance for the body politic to work collaboratively and imposes the responsibility forOpposition Parties to commit themselves to working with the Administration tomaximise the opportunities.

The February 16 sitting during which two papers totalling, $2,240,901,071 and$3,471,047,823 that were tabled by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, left the House ina position that was not contemplated in the countrys legal framework of governance, assome of the objections raised by the Opposition with regard to certain expenditures, left

Parliamentarians on the Government side mind-boggled. Financial paper seven wasdebated and was amended before being approved, as the Opposition refused to supportcertain provisions that were being sought; however, during the debate on the secondpaper, they tabled an amendment for it to be withdrawn and restructured before beingre-submitted.

After the sitting, Governments Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, Minister Singh and Leader ofthe House, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds hosted a press conference where theyexpressed the ruling Partys disappointment in the fact that the much anticipated fear ofgridlock, which, only a week ago, President Donald Ramotar warned against in hisaddress to the Tenth Parliament was being played out. Parliament is adjourned until

March 15, at which time, the financial papers and the subsequent passing of theSupplementary Bill, will be further discussed.

8. One-seat majority continues to be used in contempt of constitution-HPS,February 29, 2012

The parliamentary Opposition continues to use its one-seat majority in contempt of theconstitution, parliamentary rules, procedures and regulations, but Cabinet has stated


14/133

14

that such actions would not be condoned. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr.Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Presidenttoday said that Cabinet members continued to record the list of the Oppositions - APartnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Changes (AFC) - indefensibleactions that are likely to occur and accumulate.

The most recent being their non-support for certain items listed in Financial PaperSeven and the entire Financial Paper Eight at the February 16 sitting of the NationalAssembly. Dr. Luncheon said that the Oppositions Motion which was carried to deferPaper Eight, was ill-advised and reflected the mindset of the one-seat majorityOpposition, that they could rewrite the rules.

In Guyana, the constitution still was supreme; it embraced the principle ofproportionality in according seat with the plurality at general elections. Cabinet decriedthe abandonment and disregard of those constitutional provisions and insisted that suchdevelopments would not be condoned nor tolerated, the HPS said. Cabinet has alsotaken note of the apparent disconnect in the undertakings with regards to the inter-parliamentary parties dialogue; nevertheless, it continues to encourage suchengagements in the interest of all citizens.

The two papers totalling, $2,240,901,071 and $3,471,047,823 respectively, seekingapproval for expenditure met from the contingencies fund late last year were tabled byMinister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on February 10. The law makes provisions for this;however, since a Supplementary Bill is not a budget, it has to be brought to theParliament to inform the House on how the funds were used. Against this backdrop,there should be no intrigue or grandstanding for approved financial expenditure.

9. Govt seeks legal redress in face of Oppositions disregard for Parliamentaryconvention, grandstanding, March 7, 2012

The ruling Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members in Parliament have filed for legalactions at both the level of the constitutional court, as well as Parliament by way of a Motion inan effort to confront the wrongdoings of the parliamentary Opposition. Head of thePresidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing atthe Office of the President today said that the collaboration between the two parties inOpposition was leading to grossly unprincipled actions, a dispensation that Cabinet is unwillingto accept.Specific attention was paid to the betrayal of parliamentary norms and the abuse ofconstitutional provisions in the decisions by the combined Opposition. Cab inet further

contended that the abandonment and betrayal of parliamentary norms also were evident atdecisions made at the committee of supply that considered the financial Papers Seven andEight, the HPS said.Motions have been drafted and presented at the level of Parliament, questioning those decisionsand requesting the House to declare them null and void. Additionally, the governing Party willalso be approaching the constitutional court to have those same remedies provided.


15/133

15

Government has decried the proceedings of the Tenth Parliament thus far which saw the twoOpposition Parties first hijacking the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker; followed by theirconcerted move to blatantly disregard the proportionality of seats in the selection of theCommittee of Selection and subsequently, their refusal to approve some of the items listed inFinancial Papers Seven and all in Paper Eight on February 16.

Meanwhile, the Government side has and continues to cooperate fully with the Opposition;answering any questions that they ask. When the Ninth Parliament ended in September 2011, noquestion that was asked by the Opposition was left unanswered. Government has assured thateven though the kind of behaviour that is being displayed by the Opposition in the Parliament isnot conducive to development of any kind, focus will continue to be placed on thedevelopmental trajectory that has been embarked on.

10. Opposition seeking to undermine projects beneficial toGuyanese Minister of Finance,March 14, 2012

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said contrary to what a small section of the

opposition and the media appear to want to assert, Governments track record canwithstand comparison as well as compare favourably with any other government in acomparable jurisdiction and, with any of the PPP/Cs predecessors in office.

Speaking at Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheons post-Cabinetpress briefing, Minister Singh pointed to the vast volumes of documentation andtestimony given before Parliamentary Committees, which end up in the hands of allpolitical stakeholders, and by extension, in the hands of and, accessible to Guyanascitizenry.Dr. Singh noted however, that unfortunately, persons dont really look at the vastvolumes that have been placed there, instead anecdotal and flippant passing commentsare made which is unfortunate.The Finance Minister also pointed out that in GuyanasParliament the Opposition has an important right to ask questions on any matter ofinterest to them, and I believe that it is something that we can be proud of as a nation,that at the end of the Ninth Parliament, no question asked by the Opposition remainedunanswered.He emphasised that this again shows that Government is responsive, open andtransparent and has nothing to hide. Minister Singh said certain large projects, such asthe Marriot Hotel, Amaila Falls and the airport expansion projects have huge potentialfor a transformative impact on Guyana, however, certain sections of the media andpolitical Opposition appear content to pursue a narrow agenda designed solely toundermine and besmirch these projects.

We have no difficulty answering any questions and providing any documentation inrelation to these projects, and instead of making insinuations, many of which are clearlydesigned to mislead, I believe that the Opposition would be well advised to acquaintthemselves with facts. He urged that they focus on the facts and form an informedconclusion about the project, instead of simply opposing for opposing sake, orundermining for undermining sake.


16/133

16

The Minister noted that these are projects that will improve the lives of Guyanese whilecreating jobs, as well as improving the business environment and thus the quality oflife. Reiterating that given the obvious beneficial acts for Guyana which are in favour ofthe people, Minister Singh stated that he can only conclude that, the insinuations beingmade by the opposition, are being made to undermine these projects, because of the

positive impacts that the projects will have on our country. Its clearly a politicalmotivation to undermine the projects, he reiterated.

11.Ruling Partys objections on composition of committees, denial ofconsent for supplementary expenses, warrant decisions-HPS,March

14, 2012

Government is expecting explanations and decisions of the Speaker and theParliamentary Opposition with regards to their response to the studied objectionsregistered by the governing Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), at the March 15sitting of the National Assembly.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinetpress briefing at the Office of the President, said that the imminent sitting is expected tobe one of great interest and questioned, how will the Oppositions alliance deal with thegoverning parties pronounced sentiments against the dis-proportionality in thecomposition of the committees that has been spawned in the Tenth Parliament? Hequestioned too, the final resolution of the Oppositions denial of authorisation oflegitimately contracted supplementary expenditure for 2011, which were outlined in theFinancial Papers that were tabled in the House by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singhin February.

These and other questions, the HPS said, warrant answers and March 15 is seen as the

occasion for the Parliamentary Opposition to give further evidence of how they intend toengage in their contributions to cooperation and collaboration with the governingParty.

Those matters we feel would be pronounced on and, the decisions will be of interest toall Guyanese, he said. Motions have been drafted and presented at the level ofParliament, questioning decisions made by the Parliamentary Opposition to denyauthorised supplementary expenditure their support and requesting the House todeclare decisions, null and void. Additionally, at the level of the constitutional court, thegoverning Party is seeking to have those same remedies provided.

12.Oppositions objections against supplementary papers baseless, showof political muscle-flexing-Minister Singh,March 16, 2012

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, said that the March 15 sitting of the NationalAssembly saw several significant and favourable developments; foremost of which wasthe approval of Financial Paper Eight. He said members of the ParliamentaryOpposition made attempts to frustrate the consideration and approval of certain itemsin Supplementary Paper Seven and the entire Paper Eight by advancing frivolous and


17/133

17

baseless arguments; several straight-forward items were questioned and in someinstances opposed without any reason grounded in objectivity and rationality.

This he said, is enough to lead one to the inevitable conclusion that this was merely, aflexing of political muscle and power for the sake of demonstrating what the majority of

one could do in the Parliament without rhyme or reason. Notwithstanding theseefforts, Government stood firm in its articulation of arguments to demonstrate that theOppositions objections were baseless and should not be accommodated under theStanding Orders which govern the operations of the Parliament.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House, Samuel Hinds, subsequently made a detailedsubmission on the issue making reference to relevant statutes and standing orders inGuyana, as well as comparable jurisdictions and the authoritative source onparliamentary matters by Erskine May, which is typically used as guidance on mattersnot covered by the countrys own standing orders. Having considered the argumentsput forward by Government, delivered two significant rulings; whereby in relation topaper seven, he ruled that whilst the National Assembly acted in accordance with therelevant standing orders in considering the paper, the Minister could return to theHouse for reconsideration of the items that were not approved.

Given what transpired at the last sitting, the Speakers recognition and ruling that theitems could be re-submitted is an outcome that we would have to work with it is myintention to bring them back to the National Assembly for reconsideration and I hopethat on that occasion they will be favourably considered, the Minister said.

Discussions would have to be held with technical staff from the Parliament Office andthe standing orders and other existing precedence will have to be studied in order toidentify the form in which the re-committal of the four unapproved items will be done.

With regards to Financial Paper Eight, the Speakers ruling disallowed and rejected theattempts made by A Partnership for National Unitys (APNUs) point-person onfinancial matters, Carl Greenidge to frustrate the approval of this paper.

The Government welcomed and was pleased at the Speakers findings in favour of themerit so four argument on this matter, he said. When his previous attempts failed,Greenidge again tried to raise objections as to why consideration of paper eight shouldnot be proceeded with, and was again disallowed by the Speaker.

The Supplementary Paper Eight was then passed in its entirety, an outcome thatGovernment regards as positive. It is not insignificant to note that notwithstanding the

Speakers ruling and the evident merit of the items on the financial paper andGovernments repeated affirmation that we are available and willing to answer questionsin relation to any of the items, it is significant to note that the Opposition Parties inParliament did not see it fit to give the items under consideration, their support, neitherOpposition Party voted in favour of the items, Minister Singh lamented.

APNU members voted against the approval of the paper; while AFC members withheldtheirs. The Minister said that Financial Paper Eight was special in character, in that all


18/133

18

of its items addressed donor-funded projects, for which, as a tradition, the Housenormally extend sits unanimous support. He said that the four pending itemsnotwithstanding, result from the most recent sitting, and put to rest, the arguments thathave historically been made about the appropriateness of the Governments resort to thecontingencies fund and added there is sufficient cause for concern that the Opposition

did not see it fit to vote on the items based on their merits.

As a Government we will continue to work for the development of our country; we willnot let the task of development be slowed in anyway; we will not be diverted from ourobjectives of advancing economic growth and social development of Guyana. We repeatthe call to the Opposition to join us in support of this effort and to desist from thetemptation of wielding the power of the majority of one, solely for the purposes ofdemonstrating political might. Such behaviour is not consistent with an Oppositioncommitted to development, the Finance Minister said.

With regards to the Oppositions claims that sufficient information on the expenditureswere not provided in Financial Paper Eight, Minister Singh said that financial papers arenot documents that stand in isolation from context. He explained that the papersindicate clearly, the agency and the relevant projects codes to which the items relate,the amounts budgeted and the additional amounts being sought. As such, they have tobe read in conjunction with the estimates that were approved in the National Assembly.

Those estimates provide in relation to each project, abundant details with regards tothe nature and scope of the project, and total anticipating costs among others; so it isnot the case that information is not before the House and in the public domain inrelation to these projects, he said.

13.Parliament should await court ruling before setting up committees,March 16, 2012

Prime Minister and Leader of the Government side of the House, Prime MinisterSamuel Hinds today sent a letter to Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotmanrequesting him to suspend further meetings to set up committees in deference to theproceedings being played out in the High Court; failing which it will be obliged to with-hold its participation in the House. The Prime Minister made this disclosure at a pressconference of which Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Presidential Advisor onGovernance, Gail Teixeira were also a part at the Office of the President.

At the March 15 sitting of the National Assembly, Government deferred its Motion on

the composition of the Committee of Selection in light of the move to the High Court toaddress a number of matters on the application of the clauses in the constitution thatwere relevant to the makeup of the committees. Government was invited to a meetingthis afternoon to discuss and elect chairpersons to the various committees including thefour sectoral committees; however, it does not deem this arrangement to be correct.

The Prime Ministers letter to the Speaker stated that the Motion that was moved by theOpposition before the closing of last evenings sitting to enable them to bring the


19/133

19

Motions on March 21 to amend the Standing Orders with regards to the size andcomposition of the parliamentary management committee and the four sectoralcommittees, not only flies in the face of the matter before the High Court but, alsoStanding Order 26 (G). Governments position to withhold its participation in theParliament if this request is denied, Prime Minister Hinds said is consistent with the

position that led to the deferral of its Motion at the March 15 sitting.

In the letter, the Prime Minister urged the Speaker to uphold the constitution and thelaw in this Tenth Parliament and prevent the House from being in contempt of the HighCourt. Our position is that until the matter in the High Court is determined, weshould not proceed with any arrangements to set up these committees, PM Hinds said.

Standing Order 94 states that every select committee shall be so constituted so as toensure as far as possible, that the balance of Parties is reflected. In the November 28general and regional elections, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won 49.23percent of the votes, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) - 40 percent, and Alliancefor Chang (AFC)-10.76percent. With those percentages being received by the differentParties at the last elections, that the makeup of the Committees should reflect as closelyas possible, that ratio, the Prime Minister said.

On February 10, the two Parliamentary Opposition Parties teamed up to seize control ofthe Committee of Selection; voting against Governments proposal of 10 members (5-PPP/C, 4-APNU, 1-AFC) and adopting a disproportional nine-member distribution(PPP/C-4, APNU-4, AFC-1). This four-four certainly does not reflect 49 and 40percentthe committee of 10 allows for a better reflection of the votes received by thevarious Parties and the number of seats they have in Parliament and it is quite properfor the court to make a ruling, taking into account the relevant laws of ourconstitutionand we think that the Speaker and other members of the Parliament

should await that ruling before proceeding further to set up those committees, thePrime minister reiterated.

14.Opposition guilty of Constitutional violation ,March 16, 2012Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira today during a press briefing to clarifyissues that directly affect the functioning of the National Assembly accused theopposition of violating the Constitution, an ominous development in the Parliament ofGuyana and a threat to democracy.

She said it is being done with recklessness and a blatant opportunism that flies in the

face of their (oppositions) own declaration of working towards cooperation andpartnership. The PPPC Chief Whip explained that after gaining Republican status in1970, Guyana became a republic with an Executive President in 1980 and in 1999/2003continued that framework. As such, Guyana is a Republican State with an ExecutivePresident, in which the party which gets the largest bloc of votes takes the Government.Teixeira however, stated that Guyanas Constitution is not a Westminster Parliamentarysystem, but a hybrid Republican Westminster Parliamentary System.


20/133

20

This, she explained is important to understand, before getting confused with otherParliamentary systems in Commonwealth countries which could be on a first past thepost system. Teixeira further explained that Guyana is on a proportional representationelectoral system which is not first past the post. She added that the proportionally issuewhich is worked out, both in the electoral system and by the constitution, by the Guyana

Elections Commission Act, makes it clear how that proportionality is devised in amathematical formula, in relation to the geographic states and the national top upseats.We at the last elections were the party with the largest bloc of votes that isincontestable. No matter which way you cut it and turn it upside downit is true that noparty has an absolute majority, but there is a difference between not having an absolutemajority, and being the party that has the largest bloc of votes in the parliamentresultingfromthe2011elections,she said.

The Presidential Advisor stated that the charade being played out in Parliament by thedictatorship of one is trying to confuse the public in relation to their farcical calculationsand presentations. The PPP/C has 32 seats in the parliament, as the largest party withthe largest bloc of votes, it has constitutionally, legally, lawfully, both the Presidency andthe Government, she said.

Noting that the difference between the votes of the APNU and the PPP/C is somewherebetween 30,000 and 40,000 votes, she pointed to an American elections with GeorgeBush and the famous issue where there were 33,000 votes between George Bush Jr. andthe Democrats Presidential Candidate, noting that the congress continued to operateaccording to the rules in the Constitution of the United States. The difference betweenthe PPP/C and the Alliance For Change (AFC) is over 80,000 votes, and therefore thisattempt to mathematically confuse the Guyanese population must be addressed. Nomatter which way you cut it, the Government is the Government and we have the largest

bloc, she declared.

The Constitution of Guyana does not recognise in the allocation of seats two sides of thehouse, Teixeira explained further as, it recognises parties and parties electoralstrength. In the parliament there are two sides, government and opposition, who mayfrom time to time agree or disagree. This issue is a critical issue and this is the crux ofthe issue before the courts.

Is the Guyana constitution being violated by the dictatorship of one, both in the houseand in the committee of selection? she asked. She reminded of attempts by PresidentDonald Ramotar at the Inter Parliamentary Political Dialogue, IPPD, to reach consensus

which fell flat on its face, beginning with the issue of the Speaker. We went on todiscussions on the committees composition, where we said and gave the formulamathematically to show that 10, which is traditionally the size of the committee we have,on that basis that it would reflect Standing Order 94, which talks as far as possible to theissues of proportionality and would uphold the constitution and the constitutionalprovisions.


21/133

21

She continued that, In the talks, violently opposed by the APNU and the AFC, weoffered a compromise with five for the Government, four for APNU one for the AFC.They used their majority in the house to overturn what is considered a compromise bythis Government and therefore they have in fact violated the constitution. By giving thePPP four seats, they reduced the committees then. In the Committee of Selection at the

first meetingthey reduced all to 9 with the formula of four PPP, four APNU, and oneAFC.

The Presidential Advisor further referred to the Committees in the Standing Orderswhere specific reference is made to size. The Parliamentary Management Committeewhich says five for Government and five for the Opposition, Speaker is the chair;Sectoral Committees - four, for Government, three for Opposition, one and twoalternate each, They gave notice that they are bringing a Motion to amend the StandingOrders to reconfigure them to the size nine and obviously the same 4, 4, 1, formula,Teixeira emphasised. Traditionally for gridlock in committees the recourse has alwaysbeen for the House to resolve it, and obviously in this House the power won, worksboth in the Committee and in the House.

So the gridlock argument is a farce. Its a sham, an absolute sham. Secondly, she noted,that in the Parliamentary Management Committee and the four Sectoral Committees,the amendments that were brought, both to the Constitution and to the Standing Orderscame out of negotiations with the PNC in thepost1997, 1999 and 2001elections. Communiqus were signed by Robert Corbin and President Bharat Jagdeo interms of the configuration of these committees, in the recognition for building harmonyand social cohesion.

Even though the PPP/C had a majority in 2001 of approximately 52% and 54.7% in2006 the issue of parity in the Parliamentary Management Committee was upheld.

If we were behaving like the AFC and the APNU, we could have in the 9th Parliamentsaid that weve got 54.7% of the electorate, lets bring the Standing Orders, and let uschange them. Throw out the parity of 5, 5. However, she noted that as a principledgovernment, the PPP/C negotiated these issues in the interest of national unity, socialcohesion and inclusive governance in 2001 and 2003.

Those draft Standing Orders were negotiated word for word with luminaries on bothsides, such as Dr. Luncheon, Lance Carberry and Winston Murray. And at the drop ofthe hat, with the power of one, they want to destroy what have been attempts to build aconstructive engagement between the political parties of this country, she stated.One is aware that before the end of March our Minister (of Finance) will bring a

Budget. The Chief Whip on the Opposition side called for a sitting for next weekWednesday, (March) 21, which as an Opposition they are entitled but, to bring the threemotions, two of which deal with changing the Standing Orders in relation to theParliamentary Management Committee, and the four Sectoral committees.

The motion is being brought before the House on Wednesday, whilst a ConstitutionalMotion is before the High Court and therefore, the Prime Ministers letter to theSpeaker, appealing to him to not put this Parliament in contempt of the High Court.


22/133


23/133

23

we get that percentage of representation in the committee stagethat is what the motionseeks to do, Minister Nandlall said.

He said that the standing orders tell that these committees can consist of not less than 6and not more than 10 members, therefore the standing orders itself in recognising the

principle of proportionality itself has given the National Assembly a degree of flexibilityto find a composition that is as close as possible to the makeup of the House so tocapture this principle.

We are saying that a size of 10 would best reflect the composition of the NationalAssemblyPPP would get 5 seats equivalent to its 50% seats APNU 4 and AFC1however, the opposition is using nine and the allocation runs as follows- PPP-4,APNU-4 and AFC 1this violates the principle of proportionality and isdisproportionate to the percentage of seats which we have in the National Assemblybecause we have 50% of the seats and 4 is not a reflection of the percentagethey areequating us with APNU who has 40% of the seats and there is a 30,000 vote differencebetween 40% of APNU and 49.2% of the PPPthat is in violation of the proportionalityprinciple which the constitution embracesthat is what we are seeking to rectify in thecourt, hoping that parliament can constitute the committees in a manner that iscontemplated, provided for and captured by the constitution, Minister Nandlall said.

Minister Nandlall said that the committees of parliament undertake very importantwork; as such their composition must be reflected in every aspect of the NationalAssembly as it sits to undertake its work.

The committees have a very important role to play in our parliamentary system, theyare responsible for monitoring governments policy and scrutinising the conduct ofgovernmentthat is a role that the administration recognises and has set up most of

these committees and made them functionalwe have amended the standing order togive the committees more powersevery aspect of government is reviewable by thecommittee system which we have in place, Minister Nandlall said.

Some of the committees that exist are; a foreign relations, natural resources, economicservices public accounts and constitutional reform. We will never try to manipulate orcontrol the work of the committees of parliamentit is not our intentionwe are sayingthat we have the most seats in terms of party and that must be reflected in thecommittees, Minister Nandlall said.

16.Established parliamentary rules cannot be wished away-Teixeira-opposition motions put off due to lack of required documents,March 21, 2012

The three Motions put forward by the Opposition to be tabled in the National Assemblywere today deferred to March 30 after members on the Government presentedconvincing arguments; citing the absence of the necessary documents accompanying theMotions. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Leader of the House explained that all threeMotions seek to amend various sections of the Standing Orders and as such, unless theSpeaker of the House directs otherwise, notice accompanied by the draft of the proposed


24/133

24

amendments had to be submitted to the Parliament Office, which are subsequentlycirculated to parliamentarians. However, there were no proposed amendmentsccompanying the Motions that were slated to betabled. He further explained that therequirement of Standing Order 111 (1), which deals with the amendments of StandingOrders, had not been met and as such the Motions were not properly before the House.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Basil William, who is the mover ofone of the three Motions, said that the rules were not made to hinder the internalbusiness of the House and submitted that the Speaker is empowered to use hisdiscretion to allow for the tabling of the Motion notwithstanding the unmetrequirements.

Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Khemraj Ramjattan stated that the establishedStanding Orders should not be seen as mandatory. Meanwhile, Governments ChiefWhip, Gail Teixeira urged the House not to fall prey to capriciousness as the rules havebeen developed overtime. In July last year, the same rules were again revised at aparliamentary select committee comprised of members from all the Parties.

Whether it is an oversight or not, the reason why the draft amendment is included inStanding Order 111 (1), is to allow the House to know the exact wording of theamendment that is being brought to the Standing Orders. It is an importantinclusionthere are reasons why Parliaments work with certain rules and discipline,Teixeira said. She also reminded that the Standing Orders Committee report of 2007dealt with two amendments that were brought to the National Assembly, both of whichwere accompanied by draft amendments and went directly to the Standing OrdersCommittee.

She said that since then, nothing has changed in terms of compliance and respect to

what the House stands for and added that, if a member wants to move a suspension ofthe Standing Orders, he/she has a right to do so, but it must be done after written noticeis given within the required time frame. The Chief Whip also warned that this level ofcapriciousness displayed by the Opposition puts the Parliament on a dangerouspathway.

All of us in this House, cannot at every sitting, be wishing away bits of the StandingOrders as it suits us and when it suits us, Teixeira said. The Prime Minister in hisconcluding remarks on the matter said that changing the makeup of the committees,does harm to certain provisions in the Constitution and even existing Standing Ordersand for this same reason, Government has had to move to the court. He maintained that

in light of this, consideration of Motions such as these, should await the ruling of thecourt.

After a brief 10-minute suspension, the Speaker in his ruling said that there must be acopy of the proposed amendments accompanying the Motion; noting that the Clerkadmitted that he has erred by allowing for the Motions to be printed on the Order Paperwithout the requisite amendments being attached. Using his discretion, he agreed toabridge the timeframe for which notice of the Motion should be given from 12 days to 48


25/133

25

hours. The matter will be dealt with at the next sitting of the House on March 30, atwhich date Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, will present the 2012 National Budget.

17.Opposition violation of Constitution erodes democratic gains -President,March 23, 2012

President Donald Ramotar maintains that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) andthe Alliance For Change (AFC) are squandering the opportunity to work with theGovernment and, that the Governments move to the High Court is to protect thesanctity of parliamentary democracy.

Addressing members of the media during a press conference today at Office of thePresident, the Head of State said that his continued monitoring of the situation inParliament clearly shows that, APNU and the AFC are squandering the opportunity ofworking together with us in the interest of our nation. They are violating allparliamentary norms and practices.

He pointed out that since the commencement of the Tenth Parliament there have beenwillful efforts of the two parties to create a hostile atmosphere in the Chambers whilstbeing uncooperative and disruptive. The Head of State suggested that the impressiongiven is that they are trying to reverse the democratic gains made since 1992. Theparliament will be characterised, I believe as a dictatorship of one by the APNU and theAFC; neither one having won individually, a majority of votes over the lawful PPP/CGovernment which has the largest bloc of votes, he stated.

The President also slammed the two parties for ignoring the principle of proportionality,explaining that continued attempts to sow confusion was reflected in APNUs rejectionof the suggestion for a forensic audit of the November 28, 2011 General Elections resultswhilst they continued to play a victim. He described that act by the opposition parties asa travesty, revealed from the very first meeting to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.Despite efforts on my part, said the President, on meeting individually, with theAPNU and AFC and collectively at the inter-parliamentary dialogue, to reach consensus,the APNU and AFC plunged ahead to elect an AFC Speaker and APNU Deputy, thusbreaking completely with traditions of Parliament.

The second instance came with the election of the Committee of Selection on the floorof the House. Again we had discussed this at our meetings. The Government raised theissue of the size and composition of members of the Parliamentary Committees and, touphold the constitutional provisions with regard to proportionality of the electoral

strength of the parties at the elections. Both APNU and AFC totally ignored this andproceeded to take a majority on the committee of selection, President Ramotar stated.

Governments proposal was five for the PPP/C, four for APNU and one for AFC, anallocation which would more accurately reflect proportionality of each partys strengthat the polls. The APNU and AFC formula of equal seats for the Government and APNUand one for the AFC, makes a mockery of the principle of proportionality, declared thePresident.


26/133

26

He noted that during the Ninth Parliament, even when we had an absolute majority, itwas we who set up the Parliamentary Management Committee and, we had allowed fiveseats to the opposition and Government had five, with the Speaker chairing thisCommittee. But here again we see the tendencies of the opposition at the first meetingof the Committee of Selection to implement their formula for all committees and to

bring Motions to amend those Committees where it clearly states that the Governmenthas the majority they have moved to change that in the rules.

The PPP/C has been allocated 32 seats, APNU 26 and the AFC 7, which is based on andproportionate to the number of votes that they received at the elections. Mathematicalcalculation on the percentage of seats in the National Assembly will show that the PPPwith its 32 seats controls 49.2% of the seats in parliament which is nearly 50%. Thiswould mean the PPP would get 5 seats equivalent to its 50% seats, APNU 4 and AFC1however; the opposition is using 9 and the following allocation: PPP-4, APNU-4 andAFC 1.

Governments approach to the High Court on these violations of the constitution is asignificant step to protect the sanctity of the constitution and stop the blatant andreckless disregard for parliamentary democracy, stated the President. It has alsoindicated to the Speaker that it will not participate in the elections of Chairpersons, indeference to the proceedings before the High Court. However, the Committee under theSpeakers chairmanship proceeded to elect APNU to chair three ParliamentaryCommittees, while others are assumedly pending their amendment of the StandingOrders to give Government a minority on the Parliamentary Management Committeeand the four Sectoral committees.

The Speaker of the National Assembly now chairs seven Parliamentary committees.Another instance of violation of the Constitution relates to the supplementary financial

papers, where Government raised its concerns with the Speaker regarding the erosion ofthe Standing Orders and parliamentary customs and practices. President Ramotarpointed out that, The most recent case at the March 21 sitting (of the NationalAssembly) with regard to their own amendments to the Standing Orders, demonstratestheir own disregard of these provisions. Governments protest led to the Speakerupholding these Standing Orders, he added.

The measures being pursued by APNU and AFC are intended to undermine thedemocratic gains made in Parliamentary democracy since 1992, he asserted.

18.APNU continues to sow confusion -President Ramotar,March 23, 2012President Donald Ramotar has categorically stated that the continued attempts by the APartnership for National Unity (APNU) to sow confusion are meant to affect the countryand urged that leaders must look to, and build for the future.

He posited that the coalition seeks to justify its behaviour after the November 28, 2011elections, rather than admitting that it is deliberately misleading its supporters and thenation and should offer an apology, he told media operatives at a press conference at


27/133

27

his office today. What they are trying to do now is to affect the progress that thiscountry is making. The fact that we are going to build a hydro-electric power station,work towards building the road from the Coast to Lethem, a new deep water harbour,proper hotel of international standard that will make Guyana a destination forimportant conferences - these seem the target of these attacks that we are seeing in the

press, he said.

In highlighting the unprincipled behavior of the party, President Ramotar explainedthat after the 2006 General Elections, independent observers said that the data basethat we had at GECOM was the best this country had and it should be built upon. ThePNC then started to insist and make threats, he said. That party insisted on a newhouse to house registration process. We had an agreement that we will go ahead with anew registration process, abandoning the data base that was recognised as the best database in Guyana, under the agreement that there will be no questions in the elections.But you see what has happened and how unprincipled they are.

He suggested that APNU leaders should tell the nation why, if it (the party) is soconcerned about the elections results, why did they along with the AFC, reject theproposal, I made to them when they first raised this matter to me immediately after theelections, that we should have a forensic audit of the elections. Let us go back into thebox as we did after the 1997 elections so we could see what was the real results if theyhad any doubts in their mind, declared the President, stating that it was unfortunatethat after the attempts to block a re-verification of the election results, APNU continuesto paint itself as a victim in the process.

The President declared that what APNU has also done, is to bring into question, theintegrity and competence of its very own supporters and polling agents, who were alsoeither scrutineers and or counting agents. They were also several instances where

former known PNC/R scrutineers and other officials were directly employed onElections Day by GECOM in various roles, he added. He pointed to the fact that there isdocumented evidence about PPP/C polling agents and scrutineers being refused entryinto polling stations.

He reiterated his earlier statements that there were several instances of malpracticebetween strategically placed GECOM officials who infiltrated the system and APNU.

President Ramotar remains confident that the PPP/C did have a decisive victory of morethan 50% of the votes at the last national elections. Referring to a recent APNU pressstatement, President Ramotar stated that they, the PNC party which is the largest of the

coalition, are trying to rewrite history and hide from their past, A party that madeGuyana move from being the most developed country in the region in 1964, to the mostbackward country by 1992.

He stated, They talk about corruption but they havent yet explained to us the deal withGT&T when they were privatising the GT&T. These people who have the worst history ofcorruptionmaking accusations against this government.


28/133

28

19.Opposition alliance reckless and relentless HPS - Govt cautiousof their Budget 2012 reception,March 28, 2012

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinetpress briefing at the Office of the President today, said that while the APNU/AFCalliance has contrived to hold both Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the House; they areembracing the constitution of seats, to further consolidate their control.

Cabinet being informed of the Chief Justices ruling felt it would be of interest, theposition to be adopted by the Speaker, as he reacts to that ruling that affirms, the matteris properly before the constitutional court, Dr. Luncheon pronounced.

The Chief Justice recently ruled that the court has jurisdiction to hear the constitutionalmotion brought by the Government against the Opposition leaders with respect to thetake-up of the parliamentary committees.

The PPP/C has been allocated 32 seats, APNU 26 and the AFC 7, which is based on andproportionate to the number of votes that they received at the November 2011elections.Mathematical calculation on the percentage of seats in the National Assembly will showthat the PPP with its 32 seats controls 49.2% of the seats in parliament which is nearly50%. This would mean the PPP would get 5 seats equivalent to its 50% seats, APNU 4and AFC 1 However; the opposition is using 9 and the following allocation: PPP-4,APNU-4 and AFC 1.

Governments approach to the High Court on these violations of the constitution is asignificant step to protect the sanctity of the constitution and stop the blatant andreckless disregard for parliamentary democracy.

Dr Luncheon stated that while the Finance Minister prepares to present the 2012 budgetestimates, Cabinet is cautious of the reception and treatment to be meted out by theOpposition Alliance parties. He added that while suspicions are hardening about theOppositions malevolent intentions, their reactions would in fact make an importantcontribution for Guyanese to assess their motives towards development.

Suspicions are hardening understandably so, that those intentions of the alliance aremalicious and consequently those intentions once orchestrated, the impact on theinterparty inter-parliamentary party dialogue impact would reverberateThe

parliamentary alliance of the opposition parties, by deed has essentially established thebasis for those concerns, worse yet by their words, Dr. Luncheon said.

In addition, Dr. Luncheon maintained that because the Parliamentary Oppositioncontinues to enjoy the one-seat majority in the National Assembly, it would bereasonable for Guyanese to anticipate that there would not be a passage andconsideration of the 2012 estimates, as it is likely that the National Budget will be


29/133

29

treated with the same extremity as other important Bills already tabled in the TenthParliament.

On March 7, Government moved to the High Court challenging the manner in which theparliamentary committees were being established and piloted by the Opposition, and

Dr. Luncheon questioned whether the Opposition would indeed abide by the spirit ofthe convention and let the court ruling prevail.

20.Opposition back peddles claims changing Parliamentary Committeesmake up a mere irregularity AG,March 30, 2012

Press statements sent out this week by the main Opposition party A Partnership forNational Unity is an attempt at back peddling from their original proposition which wasthat the Court had no jurisdiction over Parliament and the National Assembly. TheAPNU statements reflected the ruling of Chief Justice Ian Chang and also stated that thesteps taken by the Parliamentary Opposition in no way violated the Constitution ofGuyana.

The Parliamentary Opposition, which has a one seat majority in the National Assembly,had made steps to change the composition of Parliamentary Committees in favour of theopposition. The Government sought redress from the Court stating that this action bythe Opposition violated the Constitution. Attorney General and Minister of Legal AffairsAnil Nandlall said the principal objection raised in the Court against the motion byGovernment, was that the Court has no jurisdiction to review the proceedings or theprocedures of Parliament.

He noted that this objection stated clearly the Oppositions view that the business ofParliament is beyond the reach of the Court. That objection has however, been overruledby the Court, which stated very clearly that it has the power, the responsibility and theduty to review any aspects of Parliaments business to enquire whether the Constitutionhas been contravened. Minister Nandlall stated that the release sent out this week, is anattempt at back peddling from their original proposition which was that the court hadno jurisdiction. That is the first proposition they advanced.

The second proposition was that assuming the court has jurisdiction, the Court oughtnot to enquire into this particular matter, which is the composition of the committees,because according to them, it is a mere irregularity and it does not violate theconstitution.

He explained that in terms of jurisdiction, the opposition is now claiming that the courtwill not have the jurisdiction to enquire into a mere irregularity, that is what they aresaying. Its just because the Court has overruled their principal submission, they are nowback peddling in an attempt to modify what they have originally submitted to the court,the Minister said. He noted however, that the Chief Justice has made it very clear thathe has recorded accurately what the objections were, and the Chief Justice has notrecanted from his recording from what their submissions were. It remains a question ofjurisdiction.


30/133

30

21.Oppositions budget presentations political rhetoric- Minister Singh-Calls on them not to misuse one-seat majority,April 17, 2012

The curtains came down this evening on the debates on the 2012 national budget withMinister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who observing that the Opposition has

squandered yet another opportunity individually and collectively cooperate with theGovernment in the interest of Guyana and its people.

He noted that uniqueness of the current parliamentary configuration presentedmembers opportunities to demonstrate their willingness to rise to the occasion; howeverthis was not seized by the Opposition; instead they resorted to opposing merely for thesake of opposing. He reminded the House that the budget debate was never intended tobe a contest of oratorical versatility or an exhibition of hooliganism and linguistic orpoetic abilities; instead it presented the opportunity for a competition of ideas,particularly given the current configuration of the House.

Budget Theme

Referring to the theme of budget 2012, Remaining on Course, United in Purpose,Prosperity for All,Minister Singh said that, it was not casually formulated; but ratheris the result of considerable reflection of the part of Government and represented theoutcome of efforts intended to capture the essence of where the country is and, whatneeds to be accomplished in order to arrive at the destination to which every Guyaneseaspires.

The theme was built on a premise that our country has been advancing along a path ofprogress... a path towards a modern and prosperous Guyana with most elements towhich very few would disagree...one could scarcely argue with the admonition that weremain on course, on this path, redoubling our resolve to working more closely togetheras we pursue the objectives of generating prosperity for our country, the FinanceMinister stated.

Besmirching professionalism

Minister Singh rebuked Alliance for Changes (AFCs) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan forcasting aspersions on the economic statistics that were produced by hardworkingprofessionals within the Government agencies. He stated that the National Bureau ofStatistics (whose work and integrity Ramjattan attempted to question), is headed by avery capable, long-standing professional of over 40 years of experience in official

statistics. These people are not politicians...professional civil servants are not peoplewho like to enter the political fray, it is downright irresponsible for members in thisHouse to stand up and besmirch their professionalism, he asserted.

Economy Rebasing

Responding to Ramjattans talk of rebasing Guyanas economy, the Minister explainedthat this has been a matter that has long been recognised by the PPP/C. The countrys


31/133

31

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was last rebased in 1988 when the economy wasfundamentally different in structure from that which obtains today and, has never beena matter of dispute. Countries all over the world rebase their GDP periodically andGuyana is no different.

Moreover, this rebasing was done the benefit of extensive assistance from reputableinternational organisations such as the International Monetary Funds (IMFs)Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center, which scrutinize the countryseconomic statistics.

Further, in the process of rebasing Guyanas Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket,assistance was garnered from the United States Census Bureau.

Donkey-cart economy

With regards to Ramjattans reference to a donkey-cart economy, Minister Singh saidthat, We might not be where we want to be, I doubt that we will ever be where we wantto be...the task of national upliftment just like the task of personal betterment, is nevercomplete.

He said that if all Parties are to engage in sincere and frank discussions about where thecountry is headed, people must at very least, show willingness to be

The PPPC War on the people

Documents

Transcript of The PPPC War on the people