PRIME MINISTER Moses Nagamootoo believes that with constitutional reform, a new consultative, democratic and inclusive political culture will emerge in Guyana.The Prime Minister, who has responsibility for all governance matters, explained during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) that, “We believe in reviewing the Constitution and changing some aspects. We may be able to bring about the over-arching principles that would guide a new political culture in Guyana, a new consultative, democratic and inclusive political culture.”

A six-member Steering Committee on Constitutional reform was established by the Prime Minister in August 2015, with prominent Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes as Convenor.

The committee has since presented an interim report. The final report should have been presented at the end of March; however, as a result of the sudden death of one of the most experienced professionals on the subject, Haslyn Parris, the report has been deferred.

The Prime Minister advised that he was assured by Hughes that the report will be submitted shortly.

“He will be able to deliver the final report on the recommendations on how to proceed with constitutional reform in Guyana.”

The Prime Minister indicated that constitutional reform was one of the promises made during the elections campaign.

“We want constitutional reform to be on the front burner, based not on the in-fightings between political factions, but based on the supreme law that would deal with a country like ours, that would require a plural, inclusive, multi-party, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural system of governance so we don’t want this to be a rush-rush matter.”

The Prime Minister stated that the constitutional reform process has to be one where quality time will be invested and the advice of experts sought.

In the latter, he said the experts would be those persons “who have advised other countries and governments in multi-ethnic societies, to be able to have some of the changes that would see us having a Government that is more responsive to all the people of the country… no one needs to be afraid of being alienated or marginalised or discriminated against under the law.”

When the final report is received, the Prime Minister said he will further advise on the next step.