Dr Karen Cummings sworn in as APNU Parliamentarian

Feb 11, 2014 News

…Basil Williams elected Deputy Speaker

There was a major reshuffling in the House yesterday as Dr. Karen Cummings, of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), took the oath of Office as a Member of Parliament under the auspices of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Basil Williams was elected Deputy Speaker.

Dr. Karen Cummings takes the oath of office to become the newest Member of Parliament.

The newest Member of Parliament was warmly welcomed by Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Prior to the swearing in by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Trotman formally informed the House of the resignation of former Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deborah Backer.
According to Trotman, when he was informed of Backer’s resignation he called on the representative of the list, for APNU, Bhiswaishwar ‘Cammie’ Ramsaroop, to extract a name from that list to be placed the seat left vacant.
He said that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday morning informed him that Dr. Karen Cummings would be the person to fill the vacant seat.
Leader of the political Opposition, in welcoming the newest Member of Parliament, told the House, that the representative comes with a wealth of experience in the medical field and expressed his confidence in her.
He said that even though the shoes of Backer would be hard to fill, Dr. Cummings’ expertise and commitment will more than compensate in seeking the development of the people of Guyana.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also had warm words of welcome for Dr. Cummings.
Dr. Cummings later told media operatives that she was delighted to know that the leading opposition party is committed to gender equity and women empowerment and women climbing the economic pyramid.
She said that she looks forward to the deliberations in the House particularly as it relates to constitutional reform and looks forward to making a positive contribution and a meaningful input.
She said that as it relates to her pursuits in the House, like her party mantra she too wants good governance and a good life for all at the national level.
Following the swearing in of the Member of Parliament, Speaker Trotman reminded the House that there must be a Deputy Speaker elected as soon as possible.
Backer who resigned was elected the Deputy Speaker of the House when the 10th Parliament was opened.
Opposition Chief Whip, Amna Ally, informed Speaker Trotman, that APNU would like to nominate Shadow Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, for the post, which it did.
The nomination was seconded by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and when there were no other nominations presented to be considered for the post, Williams was declared Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
The changes in the House yesterday also included a few promotions.
APNU’s Ronald Bulkan was notably promoted from the backbench to the front bench in the rank and file while Vanessa Kissoon was sent to the backbench of her party’s seating arrangement.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster, was also promoted to the front benches.
She was moved to the seat once occupied by the then Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud. He resigned his post as Minister effective January 31 last and while he remains a Member of Parliament was noticeably absent from the sitting yesterday.