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Parliament billed for June 5 return
…as Teixeira criticises diplomats for commenting on 100-day hiatus
(Kaieteur News) – After nearly one hundred days without a parliamentary sitting Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira on Thursday said that the National Assembly will convene on June 5.
And she has expressed regret that the diplomatic community did not see it fit to first engage the government on its plans for the National Assembly, before publicly commenting on the issue.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira
In a video statement that was posted on Facebook, Teixeira a veteran legislator said that she noticed the comments circulating in the media from various ambassadors in the diplomatic corps of Guyana in relation to the sittings of parliament.
“It is regrettable that the ambassadors and those embassies and high commissions did not see it fit to first engage the government as the ruling party in the House in the National Assembly in terms of what its plans were for parliament and/or if there was or was not a sitting planned. It’s regrettable because had they done that, they would have been told that there was a sitting planned for June the fifth, but unfortunately there seems to be like a new style of diplomacy where our friends and allies in these embassies believe they should only listen to one side of the story and not listen to the other side, and the other side in this case is the government,” she said.
Teixeira went on to say that the government wishes to make it very clear that it is of the hope, this will not be the norm in relation to issues that regard Guyana’s legislative agenda, and the way in which the parliament is run. It is also hoped that future engagements will be more profound and respectful, she said.
On May 20 this publication reported that the diplomatic missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union have underscored the importance of parliamentary oversight and democratic governance amid Guyana’s nearly 100-day absence of parliamentary sittings, with the international partners highlighting the need for active legislative engagement during a period of rapid economic transformation.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips said he is “unable to say” when the legislative body will meet.
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs confirmed with Kaieteur News that no date has been set. “I do not know,” he said while clarifying that the date for the sitting of the National Assembly is set by the government.
“Meetings are convened by the government; they would instruct the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs,” he reminded.
EU Ambassador Luca Pierantoni in an invited comment emphasised the necessity of active governance, stating, “We look forward to intensive parliamentary engagement that will enable Guyana to advance its ambitious reform agenda. The work of Parliament is essential in fulfilling the democratic principles shared by Guyana, the Caribbean Community and the European Union.”
The U.S. Embassy in a statement underlined the link between legislative oversight and the nation’s ongoing economic boom, noting that, “A well-functioning parliament with legislative oversight is an important part of democratic governance.”
“Such oversight is important to safeguard Guyana’s continued economic growth and transformation and represent the voices of its citizens,” the embassy said.
Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador Sébastien Sigouin stressed the importance of the rule of law and the functional mechanisms of a healthy democracy during this pivotal era for the nation. He observed, “As you know, Canada attaches great importance to democratic institutions, parliamentary accountability, media freedom, and the rule of law, particularly as Guyana undergoes rapid transformation. We would encourage Members of Parliament, across party lines, to make full use of the mechanisms and levers available to them to ensure that the National Assembly plays its essential role in considering, scrutinising, and debating the government’s ambitious agenda.”
A spokesperson for the British High Commission told Kaieteur News that “effective parliamentary institutions are a key pillar of democratic governance. The work of Parliament is an important component of Guyana’s ongoing economic growth and inclusive democratic participation.”
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UGH ! Gail sets meeting date for Parliament, after international reps talk,
loud and clear.
And, Gail cannot be that smart to think that the “date” was set BEFORE all
those talking about Parliament in Guyana.