THE actions by the joint opposition political parties in Parliament continue to engage the attention of government. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, reiterated on Wednesday that the opposition parliamentary parties continue to use their single-seat majority in contempt of the constitution and parliamentary rules, regulations and procedures.
Dr. Luncheon said: “Cabinet continues to record the list of those indispensible actions and those that are likely to occur and accumulate.” The most recent action took place on February 16, whereby the committee of supply deferred the approval of Financial Paper Number 8 in the National Assembly.
Dr. Luncheon added that Cabinet is insisting that such frequent action by the opposition reflected a mindset of one-seat majority parties in Parliament that they could rewrite the rules.
Cabinet cautioned that, in Guyana, the constitution still was supreme. The HPS also noted the abandonment and disregard of the constitutional provisions, and insisted that such developments would not be condoned or tolerated.
Cabinet also noted the activities and their apparent disconnect of undertakings at the inter-parliamentary political parties’ dialogue.
The government’s spokesman added that Cabinet has reflected on the disconnect among the parties regarding the behaviour of the two opposition parties, but nevertheless encourages continued dialogue.
Government has been lamenting the move by the combined opposition political parties in joining forces to block the passage of the supplementary Financial Paper Number 8.
The two Financial Papers, Numbers 7 and 8, were brought before the Parliament at its last sitting on February 16, 2012, both to seek original supplementary appropriations and to clear advances made in the Contingencies Fund, and for the purpose of replenishing the funds.
However, the two financial papers did not get approval from the combined opposition parliamentary parties.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had expressed disappointment at the fact that some of the items in Financial Paper Number 7 were not approved, because, in his view, they were transparent and simple.
With what was displayed in the National Assembly, he had said, one has to seek answers as to what purpose can approval be withheld on such matters.
He concluded that it was done for the purpose of political grandstanding, and showing what can be done with a parliamentary majority. He also questioned what other purpose can be served by withholding approval.
Government had also concluded that the actions of the combined opposition were intended to stymie its legitimate work aimed at brining benefits to the Guyanese people.
The Administration had also called on the public to condemn the actions of the joint opposition parliamentary parties in their efforts to stymie progress.
Questions were also raised about the talks by the opposition parties on working along with Government in the interest of the Guyanese people.
The Administration has since deemed the actions by the combined opposition “reckless and irresponsible”.