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Bills in limbo…APNU mulls court action
– says AG should be replaced
By Abena Rockcliffe
Even as A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) acknowledges that “we’re in a season of unreasonableness”, the party has stressed that it will not stand by and allow the government to continue its “authoritarian way of ruling”.
APNU MP Joseph Harmon
During an exclusive interview yesterday, Shadow Minister of Public Works, Joseph Harmon, made known the party’s stance, noting that it is gearing to head to the courts for the President’s “inadequately justified” move to withhold his assent to two Bills.
The way Harmon and, by extension, APNU sees it, the government is trying to make a point, and President Donald Ramotar seeks to make good on his promise not to assent to any Bill that doesn’t secure the support of the government in parliament; even though the opposition parties hold the majority.
Since February 25, two opposition-proposed Bills – Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) and Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) – were sent to the Office of the President for his assent.
The Constitution stipulates a 21-day period for the president to return to the National Assembly any piece of legislation sent to him.
However, until May 3, the Speaker wrote the President reminding him of his duty to assent or return the Bills along with the reasons he didn’t assent.
Eventually, the president returned the Bills with his reason not to assent being that the Bills were unconstitutional. However, APNU is “not prepared to accept that excuse”.
Harmon said yesterday that the President must be aware of his duties and act maturely.
The Lawyer added that “It is clear that the decision was made on the basis of advice given to him (Ramotar) by the Attorney General (Anil Nandlall), which is not good advice”.
“In the first instance, he said that the Bills were unconstitutional; then he went on record saying that the Speaker erred. The Speaker can, of course, and has already defended himself, but I must add that something is wrong with the AG and again I say, he is giving the President bad advice.”
Harmon opined that the President might very well have the need to reconsider Nandlall’s appointment as Attorney General. “He should probably appoint him Minister of Information and get a new Attorney General.”
Harmon said that APNU knows its role and simply can’t afford to allow the government to walk all over Guyanese people “we won’t sit and accept that.”
He added that the party will be exploring both court and political action to try to get the President to understand that when “the National Assembly votes and the majority express its wishes, those wishes should be respected, unless there is really good reason not to, and in this case there isn’t.”
According to the Shadow Minister, the government doesn’t care whether or not there is good and legal enough reason, “once the AG makes a statement no matter what happens, the President is not going to assent.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Harmon emphasised that this is a season of unreasonableness and APNU is concerned. He acknowledged the Alliance For Change’s announced way of dealing with “the situation” –tit for tat– and said that there are more tactics in the army of political parties.
Harmon also highlighted that the government is adamant to leave the President‘s benefits Bill as it is, but still blatantly underfund a constitutional office that is Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
“It’s total eye pass,” Harmon said in conclusion.
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