Lincoln Lewis’ assertion is a contradiction of all that he has courageously championed for decades

Dec 08, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
I was more than a little bit surprised by the statement in Mr. Lincoln Lewis’ letter that “[Guyana] is a nation of laws”: (Kaieteur News 07-12-14, Maxwell needs to explain his conflicting positions on the Constitution). At best, it is a compendious articulation of one of the aspirations in the Preamble to the Constitution of Guyana for a “harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.”
To suggest that Guyana has attained the status of a nation of laws is not only dangerously misguided but a complete contradiction of all that Mr. Lewis, with whom I have been associated who is my friend, has courageously championed for decades. In fact, I honestly do not believe that Mr. Lewis believes that the rule of law prevails in Guyana.
But if he does, he needs to explain “the law” in the following:
1. The violation of Article 170 of the Constitution which requires the President to assent or explain in writing to the Speaker his refusal to assent, within 21 days, to Bills passed by the National Assembly and presented to him for assent.
2. Failure to establish several Commissions required under the Constitution, including the Local Government Commission (77A), the Ethnic Relations Commission (212A), the Human Rights Commission (212N), the Public Procurement Commission (212W) and the Public Service Appellate Tribunal (215A).
3. Failure to comply with Article 216 of the Constitution, which requires that all “revenues or other moneys raised or received by Guyana … be paid into and form one Consolidated Fund”.
4. Placing public funds into accounts controlled by Office of the President.
5. Spending of huge sums in violation of an express non-assent by the National Assembly and article 217 of the Constitution.
6. The admission by Anil Nandlall that he “took” money from the public purse and put it back when a newspaper threatened to go public with the information.
7. Failure to hold Local Government Elections as required under the Local Authorities (Election) Act.
8. Appropriation of public property to establish ‘Pradoville 2’, mainly for members of the ruling part.
9. Failure to constitute the Integrity Commission as required under the Integrity Commission Act.
10. Violation of the human rights of persons killed extra-judicially by the State.
Mr. Lewis understands the Constitution more than most lawyers, and knows that the Constitution is the fundamental law of the nation. To defile and violate the Constitution is the very antithesis of the rule of law.
Christopher Ram

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Lincoln Lewis’ assertion is a contradiction of all that he has courageously championed for decades

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