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Convening of the Eleventh Parliament …PPP absence shows contempt, disdain for its supporters – President David Granger
“They will pay a heavy price for their actions”
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday came in for heavy criticisms from President David Granger as well as the Diplomatic Community for being absent from the convening of the 11th Parliament.
President, David Granger
President Granger said that there is an obligation on the part of the parties when they are elected to office. He said that the people went out on May 11, last, with the expectation that the parties they voted for would represent them.
Given this principle, the Head of State said, “The PPP has no right to deprive 200,000 citizens of a voice in the National Assembly.”
The President said that he believes the PPP absence shows nothing but “contempt and disdain for the people.” He predicted that the party would “pay a heavy price for their actions.”
“You can’t just refuse to represent the interest of the people like that.”
Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine shared the sentiments expressed by the President. He added that the ceremony could have been “more patriotic and of more national appeal” had the PPP been there.
“It is regrettable that they choose to yield to their hurt feelings rather than suck it up and be mature even if for the sake of their supporters. They needed to be here. I think they really let down their supporters today (yesterday),” Dr. Roopnaraine added.
Business tycoon, Dr. Yesu Persaud, also bashed the opposition party for “their childish actions.” He told Kaieteur News that it is a “real tragedy” that the PPP chose not to attend Parliament. He said that it is not
PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee
a good sign for the future relationship between the two parties and hopes that better sense can prevail in the future.
British Ambassador, Gregory Quinn, also shared his opinion on the matter. Quinn said, “I think the PPP should take their seats otherwise they aren’t representing the people who voted for them.
“I wouldn’t say their actions are childish but in doing this they aren’t representing the rights of the people the way it should as an opposition.”
A formal invitation to have inclusionary democracy talks was sent to the PPP from APNU. PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee said that his party would respond appropriately.
Granger said that he felt it was appropriate to deal with the matter at a political level hence, it was sent from APNU. He said however, that he is not opposed to rewriting the letter to reflect that it is coming from Government.
“The whole intention of the letter was to get the talk started but we want a Government of National Unity. We can’t lock out 49 percent of the population. We can send any letter. If they want a letter from government we can send that.” the President said.
The Clerk of the National Assembly said that the absence of the PPP MPs would not affect too much of the work of the government. He said that MPs of A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) would be able to do most of its work smoothly.
The Opposition’s seats were empty yesterday.
Isaacs said that the National Assembly can do its work with at least 22 members as directed by the Constitution.
He noted however, that the absence of the PPP would leave the government with a majority hold in the Parliament and as such, APNU+AFC MPs would not be able to change some articles of the Constitution that require a two-thirds majority.
Prolonged absence of the PPP could also affect the work of the sectoral committees which are entrusted with the responsibility of scrutinizing the business of the government and holding them accountable in several areas.
The Public Accounts Committee, (PAC) for example, is responsible for examining the appropriation of the sums granted by the National Assembly to meet public expenditure and similar financial records laid before it, as well as the Auditor General’s report on the accounts of the country.
The Chairman of the Committee is, according to the rules, selected from the Opposition. But given that the PPP is indecisive about taking its rightful place in the opposition benches, the work of this important committee could be hindered.
This Committee also holds the power to help establish the long awaited Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which is part of the APNU+AFC plans to be accomplished within 100 days of being in government.
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