Eleventh Parliament convenes

Jun 11, 2015 News

---

– 36 MPs sworn in

By Kiana Wilburg
One of the most powerful organs of the land, the Parliament, was convened yesterday after being in a state of dissolution for several months.
Given its victory at the May 11 polls, A Partnership for National Unity plus the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) entered the House and its elected Members of Parliament (MPs) took their seats on the eastern side of the House.
But the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) did not turn up. The proverbial show, in spite of the PPP’s absence, went on.
It was seen by many to be a representation of leaving behind the troubles, failures and rancorous behaviour that characterized the Tenth Parliament. The convening of the Eleventh Parliament was deemed “The dawn of a new day for the home of democracy” by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo.
The eight first time Members of Parliamentarians (MPs), who were sworn in along with 28 seasoned members, were excited about the auspicious event which saw the presence of several special invitees from the diplomatic community, the business community, the judiciary, the Disciplined Services and civil society.
Just before the event was officially started, the bell rang twice to signal to invited guests and MPs to take their seats. The Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs at precisely14:00 hrs, then read the Proclamation summoning the session. During that time, the Mace of the Parliament was brought from the Speaker’s Chambers and erected at the table of the Clerk.
The paintings of the former presidents which usually hung on the walls of the National Assembly were also removed. Isaacs said that government advised that they be placed in the Parliament Library which is more widely used.
The Clerk then called the names of the APNU+AFC MPs to ensure that they were all present. He announced that the Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Ally, was nominated the government’s chief whip. Ally had served in this position when the APNU was in opposition.
Isaacs also declared that he was still not in receipt of the names of the PPP elected MPs.
The session for the nomination of Speaker then began.  The Chief Whip rose to her feet and nominated Attorney-at-Law, Dr. Barton Scotland. This was seconded by Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes.
Dr. Scotland was confirmed to the post and escorted by Ally and Hughes to the dais.
Scotland holds a Master of Laws degree and a PhD in International Law. He served as a Commissioner on the Caricom Competition Commission which was launched in 2008 and later became its Chairman. He has also held various diplomatic posts.
The Speaker also has years of experience in foreign affairs as he served as an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2012.
The expert on Law of the Sea once headed the Department of International Economic Co-operation under the late President Desmond Hoyte. Among his first tasks, yesterday was to oversee the proceedings of the election of the Deputy Speaker. The governing side opted to reserve that post for the opposition.
The Clerk then swore in the MPs of the APNU+AFC.  All 36 members took their oaths. This occurred in spite of the objection by the PPP to the appointments of three APNU+AFC Technocratic Ministers.
These three individuals, Keith Scott, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure; Sydney Allicock, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, and Minister of Citizenry, Mr. Winston Felix were all on the list of candidates.
The PPP contended via a statement said that, Articles 103 (3) and 105 of the Constitution and laws pronouncing on the eligibility of appointment of Technocratic Ministers do not confer Technocratic status on these three (3) Ministers already sworn in by President David Granger as Ministers.
The Party pointed that Allicock is listed on the APNU+AFC Geographic List of Candidates for Region Nine but stressed that the APNU+AFC Coalition did not win the geographic seat for that Region. It said that Felix and Scott are listed on the APNU+AFC National Top Up list of Candidates.
“These views of the PPP have been shared with the Parliament Office. The PPP is urging that the Constitution and relevant laws be respected. It called on the Clerk of the National Assembly not to administer the Oath as Member of Parliament to these three persons.”
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who is the Leader of the House, said to Speaker Dr. Scotland,  “I have followed your career over many years and in a very novel way our paths have crossed …”
Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge delivered a statement on the recent claims by Venezuela for Guyana’s oil rich territory.
Parliament was suspended to allow members to witness President David Granger inspecting the Guard of Honour in the forecourt of the Public Buildings Compound.
The President then made his way to the Parliament Chambers.
Meanwhile, there was a rather entertaining discussion brewing in an on-line chat room by those who viewed the first live streaming of the proceedings of the Parliament via the website parliament.gov.gy.
About 1500 persons from the Diaspora as well as locally, shared their views; some jokingly while others, serious, regarding the session.
Nagamootoo, the leader of the House named June 25 as the date for the first sitting of Parliament.

---

---