PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo was sworn in to act in the capacity as President on Sunday when President David Granger left Guyana for Trinidad and Tobago.But the PM’s continued presence in the compound of the Public Buildings, Brickdam yesterday stirred concern from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Although Guyana’s Parliament comprises the National Assembly and the President, the President, under convention, does not sit as a member of the National Assembly. Even when the President enters the National Assembly, he is seated on the right hand of the Speaker.
If the President desires to address the House, it can only be through a Special Sitting of the Assembly, according to the Parliamentary Standing Orders.
Generally, contents of the President’s speech cannot be raised in the House, unless by a motion moved for such to be considered, as was done when the President addressed the National Assembly after coming to Office, and again in July of this year, on the Venezuela controversy. This is according to Parliamentary Standing Order 41 (8).
Opposition PPP MP Gail Teixeira said a concern was brought to both the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, about the acting President’s presence in the Parliament.
“We did bring to the Speaker and the Clerk’s attention that Mr Nagamootoo as Prime Minister was acting with responsibilities of the President when the President is overseas.” Teixeira disclosed to the press corps yesterday at a midday press conference in the Public Building, Brickdam.
She explained that in the 9th and 10th Parliament, which were presided over by Speakers Ralph Ramkarran, and Raphael Trotman, respectively, who had ruled, “The Prime Minister or any Minister acting on behalf of the President while he is overseas cannot be in the House and cannot sit in the Committee.”
While PM Nagamootoo did not return to the National Assembly after the press conference, he said at the time, “I am an elected member of the National Assembly, I am aware that there is a convention that has dealt with the issue of someone acting as the President.”
“I can only tell you that I am performing the functions of the President; but I am the Prime Minister, an elected Member of Parliament, and I am the Leader of Government Business in the House,” Mr Nagamootoo continued.
This position did not sit well with Opposition PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, who told this publication in an invited comment that Nagamootoo had been sworn in to act as President on Sunday, “therefore Mr Nagamootoo cannot be part of the National Assembly of Guyana.”
“Until or unless he ceases acting as President. His presence here, and if he attempts to participate in any proceedings in the National Assembly, it will be in violation of the Constitution of Guyana,” Nandlall continued, while expressing shock that Mr Nagamootoo is a lawyer but would still attempt to violate the law.
Asked whether there are provisions to sanction if Mr Nagamootoo were to enter the Chamber, Nandlall said “If he goes back into the Chamber then the entire business of the Parliament will be tainted by an unconstitutionality and that means that the entire proceedings we are embarking upon will be unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null, void, and of no legal effect.”
Up to 5:15 pm yesterday, the Prime Minister’s vehicles were not in the compound of the Public Buildings, which houses the National Assembly.
At about 9:15 pm last evening, the Prime Minister made his return to the House. When asked by this publication if President Granger had returned to Guyana, the Prime Minister gave no definitive answer.

By Derwayne Wills