Gov’t hopes PPP/C takes up seats in National Assembly – hopes importance of representing supporters not lost on PPP/C
Joseph Harmon
Joseph Harmon

 

“THOUSANDS of persons voted for the (PPP/C), and it is their duty to ensure that those persons are represented in the National Assembly.”
This was the view expressed yesterday by Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, asserted yesterday as he explained with disappointment that this is not the first time the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will not be taking up their allocated seats in the National Assembly.

Speaking with media operatives at his office located within the Ministry of the Presidency, the Minister of State said: “The PPP/C has been known for doing this; they have done it before. This is not the first time they will do it”. However, with some optimism, he disclosed his hope that “good sense prevails”.

“We trust that better sense will prevail, and that they will understand the importance of taking up their seats in the National Assembly.”

Minister Harmon explained: “I have written, under the directions of President David Granger, to the PPP/C in my capacity as the General Secretary of the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) and also with the approval of the AFC (Alliance For Change). I have written to the General Secretary of the PPP/C, inviting them to conversations and to have some discussions as to how best we can move this country forward.”

He emphasised that his letter has asked that the PPP/C consider being a part of the Government of National Unity, and “we hope that eventually the cooler heads in that party will see the necessity of them coming into the National Assembly.”

“Thousands of persons voted for the party, and it is their duty to ensure that those persons are represented in the National Assembly. They are not exercising a right which is theirs personally; they are exercising a representative right, and the people who voted for them have a right to be represented”, Harmon stressed.

The Minister said that Government hopes the PPP/C understands that they are representing the right of the thousands that voted for them, and they “think about it very carefully and take their seats in the National Assembly.”

“It is not too late for them to do that; if they miss the first sitting they can catch the second one”, he noted.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic is yet to decide on whether it will participate in Guyana’s 11th session of Parliament under an APNU+AFC Administration. Harmon noted that “on the first sitting of Parliament, the President would be laying out the legislative agenda for the year or the next five years. The President has indicated that he intends to go to Parliament as is necessary to ensure that the Government’s legislative agenda is well defined.”

Harmon noted that there are some Bills that will take priority for the new Government, and, as soon as is possible, these will be looked at.

“There are some issues that are on the front burner that we will have to deal with. Primary among those will be the AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism) Bill (and) the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, among others that were not assented to,” he disclosed.

Harmon noted that on Wednesday, June 10, “we will have nominations for the new Speaker, and then you will know who (that person) is.”

This newspaper understands that some names have been submitted, chief among which is that of Dr Barton Scotland, former Senior Diplomat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 
By Rebecca Ganesh

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.