PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar said yesterday that the two parliamentary opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), seem to be putting their personal position ahead of the country’s interest. His statement follows the move by the opposition parties to reject the proposed amendment to the Firearms Bill, which is a key piece of legislation seeking to make the trafficking of firearms and the importation of firearm components illegal.
However, asked whether he is willing to entertain bilateral discussions in an effort to resolve the issue, the president said: “My door is always open.”
The Firearms (Amendment) Bill was up for its second reading in the last sitting of the National Assembly last Thursday, but was voted against by APNU and AFC Members of Parliament.
In a brief interview on Friday, the President stressed that the bill was designed to tighten security in Guyana, thereby reducing crime by taking weapons off the streets.
“The opposition seems to be taking their own personal position and putting it ahead of our country’s interest. I think it’s really sad because our people demand of us to be responsible and I think this is the most irresponsible act that I’ve seen,” he stated.
He further noted that he does not know what more can be done at this point, since when a bill is rejected by parliament it cannot be brought up again in the same session.