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Gov’t, opposition showdown looms over security budget
…controversy over Rohee heats up
The government anticipates another showdown with the opposition when the National Assembly meets next and it could be similar to last Monday when Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee was not allowed to have a voice.
The government is going to the opposition-controlled National Assembly to approve increased spending for the security sector, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon announced yesterday.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
However, having passed a no-confidence motion against Rohee, the opposition has made it clear that it will not support anything under Rohee’s hand. Last Monday when Rohee stood and attempted to introduce new gun control measures, he was silenced by chants of “Rohee must go.”
The government remains defiant and is not budging on its position regarding Rohee, with Dr Luncheon saying that the position taken by the opposition is unprincipled.
Now, the government is ready for what it says would be the opposition’s “next absurdity” foreseeing a non-approval of the extra spending for the security sector.
In fact, Luncheon has already pointed to what he said is the opposition’s “planned starvation” of the security sector.
Dr Luncheon said that the extra funds are needed, given that the security sector had to deal with a number of unplanned events this year, making references to unrests in Linden and Agricola, East Bank Demerara.
The government has moved to the High Court to challenge the no-confidence motion that was moved by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader, David Granger, and passed in the National Assembly on July 30. The motion called on President Donald Ramotar to dismiss Rohee.
The constitutional notice of motion was filed on September 13, and seeks to have the Opposition’s motion declared as, “unlawful, a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers, unconstitutional, null, void and without any binding force or effect in so far as it purports to censure and express no-confidence in the Home Affairs Minister.”
The government has argued that the no-confidence motion against Minister Rohee is incapable in law or under the constitution, of removing him from Office.
Ministers are appointed by the President of Guyana in accordance with Article 106 and are assigned ministerial portfolios by the Head of State in accordance with Article 107 of the Constitution, the government has argued.
Last Monday, Granger said that the decision of the House to pass a “no confidence” motion against Rohee has been the subject of contempt, and vilification, and the House “must demonstrate the seriousness of its debate and decision making.”
“We took a decision and we must not allow ourselves to be the victims of a pattern of intimidation and spurious challenges,” Granger charged.
AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan added weight to the opposition’s argument, saying the decision ought to be respected, and the government must desist from its “arrogance” on the matter.
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