Minister Rohee stressed that pre-1992, the rights of the Guyanese people to elect their own leaders were taken away, while Guyana today is a much freer and more democratic nation.

He posited that Guyanese enjoy much more freedoms today than ever before, which is abused by some.

It is a totally new era, he said, explaining that it is not politically feasible for the opposition parties to admit this.

Minister Anthony touched on the operations of the National Assembly, noting that it is substantially different that it was pre-1992.

He said that there are several additional committees that enhance the work of the main body.

Also, most Bills are no longer simply debated on the floor and approved. They are forwarded to select committee where differences between the proposing and opposing sides can be deliberated on before final approval.

At a similar panel discussion on August 1, Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira explained that the opposition parties have significant inputs in the Parliamentary process.

Teixeira pointed out that there is equal representation on the Parliamentary management committee, the opposition chairs the important Public Accounts Committee, and there is a yearly rotational Chairmanship in the other sectoral committees.

The Parliamentary committees oversee every single area of Government, she stated.

Minister Anthony noted that the opposition parties are merely seeking to raise the political temperature, generating conflict and creating diversions, which do not aid in moving Guyana forward. (GINA)