PPP wants Speaker to have same law for Govt. Opposition

Jun 20, 2017 News

The People’s Progressive Party is calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, to enforce parliamentary rules and regulations equally to Parliamentarians representing the government and the opposition.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Leader of the Opposition and PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, made this call during a press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, yesterday.
Jagdeo was at the time addressing the robust rebuttal by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Thursday in the National Assembly concerning Jagdeo’s presentation concerning the Petroleum Commission Bill of 2017.
Trotman had berated Jagdeo saying that he had no right to lecture the APNU+AFC government as it relates to governance. Trotman went on to say that there are a number of projects which would have either failed or suffered under the hands of Jagdeo.
The Minister identified the Skeldon Sugar Factory, The Marriott Hotel, The National Insurance Scheme and the Berbice River Bridge Company that is struggling to stay afloat.
According to Jagdeo, Trotman’s statements were a deviation from the substance of the debate which was the Petroleum Commission Bill. Further, the Opposition Leader said that at one point in Trotman’s presentation he referred to Jagdeo directly which is not allowed in the National Assembly.
When a parliamentarian is making a presentation at all times he is expected to address the Speaker. Jagdeo said that at one point during his earlier presentation he made the mistake and referred directly to the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. He said that after he erred, the Speaker corrected him and from then on he spoke directly to Dr. Scotland.
Further, Jagdeo said that as it relates to his fellow opposition parliamentarian Nigel Dharamlall being silenced by the Speaker on Friday, the same measure should have been taken as it relates to Minister Trotman who in his determination went off track from the substance of the debate.
The former President said that Trotman’s behaviour was unbecoming since the Natural Resources Minister was once a Speaker of the Honourable House in the past.
Jagdeo said that the bone that Trotman picked with him was linked to him suggesting that the government adopts the Norwegian Model as it relates to managing the oil and gas sector.
The Opposition Leader said yesterday that there are a number of models around the world. However, Jagdeo said that he recommended the Norwegian Model because it allows less political interference. He said that Norway has one of the largest Sovereign Wealth Funds.
Jagdeo believes that the recent actions taken by the Speaker have set precedents which will make it hard for him in the future as he continues to be the Speaker of the House.
When asked what steps the PPP/C plans to take as the party continues to accuse Dr. Scotland of being bias towards the party, Jagdeo said that he hopes the Speaker will soon come around to realise what is going on and be a fair and just Speaker of the National Assembly for all Guyanese.

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