Concern for the Speaker

Mar 17, 2022 Editorial

Kaieteur News – Many Guyanese are concerned about the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir. We at this newspaper hold similar concerns based on some decisions of the Speaker.
We are worried because some of his positions raise questions. We do hope that this brother, a citizen trusted to be a crucial leader, is alright. Nevertheless, we would be less than honest if we were to say that we do not fear for his state of mind and stability.
The startling news that greeted Guyanese recently was that “Speaker weakens Opposition Motion of full coverage insurance” (KN March 15). This is why we are worried about the Speaker of the House. For as he deliberates using whatever peculiar combination of intellect, reasoning, and wisdom he possesses, it is appalling that a Guyanese, much more one of such high standing, could actually arrive at such a place, and then confirm by engaging in what he did, which is “weakening” what was intended to be debated before the full House.
We would think that any and every Guyanese, regardless of their place in, or outlook on life, but having minimum commonsense and interest in self-protection would be fully committed to giving free passage to open debate on full coverage insurance. Instead of doing so, the Hon. Speaker went the other way, which is why we have cause to question his equilibrium, and the environmental elements that contributed to his remarkable weakening (diluting) move. Because what the Speaker did was more than mere “weakening”, it was close to gutting what was intended to be free and fair examination in open parliamentary forum.
Given what is involved, the possible ominous consequences that could result from a severe oil spill, our position is that any dutiful, watchful, and faithful Guyanese Speaker would be most zealous in safeguarding Guyanese interests, a real patriotic Guyanese would. Given that he didn’t, the Speaker seems to be unable to think straight, or to walk a straight line where real oil menaces and fears are part of the combustible mix of that commodity. We would be less than frank, if there is the pretense that the Speaker has not allowed himself to be influenced by oil politics. As if to confirm this position, the Hon. Speaker did it again. To be unsparingly candid, when we thought that the Speaker couldn’t do worse, he outdid himself, with what is quite bizarre on the face of it. After disemboweling the Opposition Motion on full coverage insurance, the latest was that “Speaker wants evidence that an oil spill can leave Guyana bankrupt” (KN March 16). This can’t be happening, not from a Guyanese, not from anyone, whose head is in the right place, whose mind and balanced rulings are devoted to easing Guyanese anxieties.
Only an alien from an unearthly place would raise the issue of evidence from a spill that could lead to national bankruptcy. The Speaker is not a stranger to Guyana (at least we don’t think so). Guyana is poor, has neighbours who live mainly on tourism, and whose economies could be devastated by a spill. Guyana has no oil spill insurance, and the US$2 billion being bandied about would be a drop in the liability bucket should a severe spill occurs. However, the Speaker wants evidence of something that could possibly occur, but one which has not happened as yet.
We offer something for the Speaker’s information, hopefully his education. Regular people don’t pick up bricks and burnt-out boards from their destroyed homes and present them to insurance companies as evidence, and say that here is the evidence, so insurance now is justified. It would be too late since full insurance is both precaution and preemptive move, and great damage already would have been done. We invite the Speaker to familiarise himself with BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the US$70 billion price tag. The Speaker may not want evidence anymore, but he certainly needs to take a look at how shaky he comes across, and straighten himself.

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