…to deal with programmes and plans for 2011-2016 term
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, in his much anticipated address tomorrow to the 10th Parliament, will focus on illustrating the development approach of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government, including policies, programmes and plans for the 2011-2016 term of office. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, made this announcement at his weekly post cabinet press briefing yesterday, when he dealt with the other items on the Order Paper for that day.
Upon the conclusion the president’s address, the National Assembly will proceed with the tabling of several pieces of legislation in accordance with the Order Paper.
Luncheon said, “Parliament will sit on Friday; at that sitting, President Ramotar will deliver an address to the body… his address will focus on the body politic, and its likely contributions to the goals the PPP/C Administration will be advancing. Other items on the order paper for that day include the tabling of legislation, the swearing in of members of parliament (MPs) and the appointment of the Committee of Selection.”
The legislation to be tabled includes the Local Authorities Amendment Bill and the Supplementary Provision Bill.
Dr Luncheon announced too that the official session will be following a Thursday session for the new members of parliament.
Parliamentary Committees are established by the Constitution and the National Assembly to assist the Assembly in its work.  They perform a variety of functions and are so constituted as to ensure, as far as possible, that the balance of parties in the Assembly is reflected therein.
The Committee of Selection has the responsibility for, among other things, nominating members to committees and, from time to time, dealing with any other matter the Assembly may refer to it.
However, following the 2011 General and Regional Elections, the legislature, for the first time since 1992, has taken a new dimension with the opposition parties, combined, holding the majority of seats, with 26 from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and seven from the Alliance for Change (AFC); the PPP/C has 32 seats and is the single party which holds the most seats in the National Assembly.
At his inauguration earlier this year Guyana’s new President Donald Ramotar said this new arrangement in Parliament would test the maturity of political leaders, and will demand that the nation’s well-being should not be sacrificed on the altar of pettiness.