Politicians’ immature behaviour in National Assembly hinders investment- GCCI

Nov 24, 2012 News

Immaturity of politicians in the National Assembly and political instability are frustrating investments in Guyana- which is the most exciting economy in the Caribbean Region to invest in, says Clinton Urling, Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chairman of GCCI, Clinton Urling

The Chairman made those comments yesterday, one day after the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, barred Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, from tabling Bills. The Speaker ruled that the Minister will have to appear before the Committee of Privileges where he will have to defend himself.
Rohee has been criticized by the Opposition for his handling of the security in the country and especially the Linden protests in July which resulted in the shooting death of three protestors.
On November 7, the first sitting of Parliament after a nine-week recess was abruptly adjourned by the Speaker because of the Opposition’s unruly behaviour. The Opposition had refused to allow Rohee to speak by chanting loudly “Rohee must go” even though the Speaker had earlier declared that Rohee should be allowed to speak uninterrupted.
It was reconvened on Thursday when time was again spent discussing the Rohee issue.
According to Urling, GCCI finds the situation in Parliament worrying since important issues such as Constitutional Reform, National Insurance Scheme revenue, National Budget 2013 preparation, and Oil and Gas Regulations should be the focus.
He deemed the matter relating to Rohee petty, but that the ruling of the Speaker– whether in favour of Government or the Opposition– must be respected. The work of Parliament needs to continue without fighting which is harmful to the development of the country.
According to Urling, the new dispensation in Parliament with the Opposition having a one-seat majority should have been treated as a positive. But egos are holding up the work of Parliament. This has resulted in potential investors having a “wait and see approach” to investment in Guyana.
He noted that almost daily, local and foreign investors interact with GCCI and their biggest concern that is a risk to the country is political instability and not crimes. Reflecting on Guyana’s political history, Urling said that whenever there is a political situation leading disturbances the economy experiences downward growth.
Urling emphasized that at this juncture he will not tell any investor that GCCI has confidence in Guyana’s political climate. In fact, the public confidence in Parliamentarians is at an all time low, he added.
According to the Chairman, Guyana is the most exciting economy in the Caribbean Region with many big businesses wanting to invest. The gold mining industry is robust and has been having spin-off effects in other sectors but progress will only occur with political stability.
He explained that the recent unrest in Linden that resulted in investors pulling out of the district and obstruction in the mining industry is harmful to the environment.