Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
No freedom or justice in the home of democracy – Opposition
…as House Speaker disallows Edghill’s questions on D’Urban Park Project
The democracy of the National Assembly was brought into question on Wednesday as the Speaker of the
Opposition Member, Juan Edghill
House, Dr. Barton Scotland, disallowed questions from the Opposition on the Jubilee D’Urban Park Development Project.
The questions were brought before the House by Opposition Member, Juan Edghill for Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.
The questions, intended to be presented in an oral manner without notice, sought to ascertain whether the Minister will make public, the architectural designs and the overall projected costs for the Park’s construction and completion.
The Opposition Parliamentarian also wanted to find out whether Patterson believes this was the best use of Guyana’s financial resources, when the National Stadium is already available. Edghill also had questions about alleged defects and substandard work being carried out at the D’Urban Park project.
Dr. Scotland said however that the questions do not speak to a subject that is urgent and/or in relation to the agenda of the House at the time.
Edghill contended that as a member of the House, he has a right to submit questions without notice. But the House Speaker maintained that the matter could be dealt with at another time, as he could have submitted it for a written response from the Minister.
In spite of Dr. Scotland’s contention, the Opposition member maintained that the questions he had pertaining to the D’Urban Park Development Project are urgent, given that national celebrations will he held there in a
Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson
few weeks’ time.
He argued that the matter was one which was grounded in ensuring the public safety of citizens who would be attending it soon. He said, too, that he had submitted the questions since April 25, last, and begged that they be answered.
“As a representative of the people, we have a right to inquire about the safety of the people. I don’t believe that the questions are out of order or violate the Standing Orders in anyway. The questions were submitted in adequate time. I have asked for an oral response and I stand by that,” Edghill said.
The Speaker thanked him for his statement, but still disallowed his request. This did not rest well with Edghill’s colleagues in the Opposition, who began to make remarks that there is “no freedom or justice in the home of democracy.” They also accused the House Speaker of showing bias towards the Opposition.
Some members of the Opposition camp also cited the incident as a clear act of “control freakism.”
In light of the comments, the Public Infrastructure Minister then told the House that he would be happy to answer Edghill’s questions in writing at the end of the sitting, but the House Speaker shot down that request as well.
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