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Heightened security: Security checks were tightened at parliament yesterday following the entrance and disappearance of a santa last week and Monday’s disturbances in Parliament Chambers.

December 13,2017

Source

Suspended PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Bishop Juan Edghill was yesterday arrested after an attempt to enter the compound of the Public Buildings, where the resumption of the consideration of the national budget estimates saw a brief opposition walkout over House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland’s decision to allow the approval without scrutiny of allocations slated to be examined at the previous day’s disrupted session.

Using their majority, the government members yesterday passed a motion for Edghill to be suspended for four sittings, prompting Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to accuse both them and Scotland of attempting to “muzzle” the MP to avoid the scrutiny of key agencies. Jagdeo added that while the PPP/C stood in solidarity with Edghill, it would nevertheless participate in the examination of the remaining estimates.

The estimates passed without questions include those for the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Business, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Natural Resources and some for the Ministry of Presidency.

Scotland’s directive that he withdraw from the parliament chamber, resulting in a skirmish between his fellow opposition MPs and police ranks who tried to eject him, Edghill and all other visitors to the Public Buildings were greeted by a heavy police presence. Edghill had been deemed out of order by Scotland, who was presiding as Chairman of the Committee of Supply at the time.

The ruckus resulted in the adjournment of Monday’s proceedings but PPP/C parliamentarians remained in the parliament chamber with Edghill until late into the night in a show of solidarity with Edghill.

It is still not clear who called the police—whom some opposition members claimed physically assaulted them—as Scotland on Monday evening said it was not him and when approached yesterday Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs said he was unaware.

It was the Sergeant-at-Arms who was asked to remove Edghill but when he refused the Speaker told him he could get help. The same Sergeant-at-Arms later informed members of the media that they had to leave the House after the Speaker left his chair but the media stood its ground.

Edghill was ruled out of order after he refused to take his seat following the expiry of the allotted time for the consideration of the estimates of the Ministry of the Presidency. The time was allotted at a business sub-committee meeting and according to opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira their members in that committee did not agree to the time that was allotted.

Police officers yesterday checked all vehicles as they entered the compound and some visitors were even asked to exit their vehicles at the gate and enter on foot. The atmosphere was tense and some PPP/C members were overheard complaining and questioning the need for the heightened police presence.

Arrested

After his arrival yesterday, Edghill addressed members of the media at the police barricade and claimed that he was thwarted for some hours from reaching the location as unmarked vehicles kept “cutting across” in front of him during his journey.

He then took his briefcase out of his car and passed the police barricade with the intention of entering the compound of the Public Buildings but he was greeted by a line of police officers. He was later surrounded and told he was under arrest and he asked that he be read his rights and the offence be identified.

Fellow PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall then approached and informed that he was Edghill’s lawyer and he also questioned what offence had been committed, while pointing out that even if Edghill was barred from the House, it did not mean he could not enter the precincts of the Public Buildings as he was an elected Member of Parliament.

The police insisted that he was under arrest and later gave the reason as him “breaching the barricade.” Although an attempt was made to place him in a police vehicle, Edghill instead opted to “voluntarily walk” to the nearby Brickdam Police Station.

Nandlall later said Edghill was held for about two hours and the police subsequently apologised before directing that he sign a document in order to be released on his own recognizance.

Nandlall noted that when Edghill was about to sign, he saw he was being charged with the assault of a police officer. They objected to this and Edghill refused to affix his signature but nevertheless he was allowed to leave on his own recognisance. The attorney said Edghill’s arrest was unlawful since he did not commit a civil or criminal offence and he added that as his lawyer he would be filing suits against several persons in their official and individual capacities.

‘Unprecedented’

Meanwhile, following Edghill’s arrest, Scotland entered the House and said that the member had behaved extraordinarily and disregarded the direction of the Speaker and as a consequence no work was done on Monday afternoon.

“The conduct of Honourable member Juan Edghill is unprecedented in the annals of this House…,” the Speaker said and he then called on a government minister to move a motion for Edghill’s suspension.

Minister of Social Protection and government Chief Whip Amna Ally then stood and said following the “gross disorderly conduct” of Edghill, she was moving a motion under Standing Order 47 (3) for him to be suspended from the service of the Assembly for its next four sittings. The moving of the motion was greeted with loud resistance from the opposition members, while those on the government side thumped their tables.

The Speaker then said that Edghill remained suspended and noted that the Standing Order that was referred to authorises suspension until the end of the parliamentary session. He further commented that the four days was the most lenient.

Jagdeo then stood and attempted to address the House even as the Speaker told him there was no provision in the Standing Order for him to make a comment on the motion.

Nonetheless, Jagdeo said he wanted to record the opposition’s significant dissatisfaction with the comments on Edghill as well as the Speaker’s failure to address the “unprecedented presence” of police in the House and their assault on persons.

At that point, Jagdeo was heckled by government members and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was overheard calling him a “bald headed liar” twice. The Prime Minister himself was later called a “useless rubber stamp” by an opposition member.

“We believe it is an attempt to muzzle Mr. Edghill…,” Jagdeo said but he was then ordered to take his seat by the Speaker even as his colleagues shouted “let him speak.”

“You are a Speaker joker,” said PPP/C member Cornel Damon as the Speaker delivered his ruling and when he noted that Edghill’s conduct was unprecedented Ganga Persaud retorted, “that is your opinion.”  “This is nonsense, this is dictatorship,” another opposition member heckled and yet another commented that it was “comedy hour show” and that “you are presiding over a dead Parliament.”

“Cowboy assembly, that is what we gat here,” another said as the Speaker asked for those in favour of Edghill  being suspended for four days to say aye. There were loud “ayes” from the government side and loud “no’s” from the opposition members. There were then loud exchanges between the two sides.

At one time Jagdeo was overheard saying that the “Speaker is complicit,” prompting Scotland to warn that he should be “very careful” with what he says.

‘Scandal’

At a subsequent press conference, Jagdeo accused the government of orchestrating Monday’s events so as to ensure that there was no scrutiny of some the estimates and also to take the scandal of the ExxonMobil signing bonus off of the front pages of the newspapers.

According to Jagdeo, the signing bonus scandal is one of enormous proportions and governments have fallen over less around the world.

Edghill, Jagdeo noted, is one of the most “aggressive” speakers for the opposition since as a former finance minister he was very knowledgeable about the procedures.

He said even if Edghill were in breach of the Standing Orders, there were other ways to deal with the issue rather than bring police into the House. He suggested that the Speaker could have suspended the committee and invited the Chief Whips to discuss the matter instead of the police being called in.

He questioned who was responsible for the police’s presence since both the Speaker and the Clerk have indicated they were not responsible.

Nandlall, also commenting on the matter, said the expulsion is the gravest sanction and questioned what Edghill did to attract such a sanction.

Jagdeo pointed out that they are allowed seven days to scrutinise the estimates yet with more money being allocated and more programmes being added, the time was reduced to five days.

This process, according to Jagdeo, is the only one by which to hold the government accountable and he suggested that instead of passing all the estimates for Monday without question, the Speaker could have added another day.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

"At one time Jagdeo was overheard saying that the “Speaker is complicit,” prompting Scotland to warn that he should be “very careful” with what he says."


 

How come no cheers this bravery.

Django
Django posted:

"At one time Jagdeo was overheard saying that the “Speaker is complicit,” prompting Scotland to warn that he should be “very careful” with what he says."


 

How come no cheers this bravery.

Dem boys say he is a bald headed liar.

cain

SASOD wants Edghill removed as Minister, Parliamentarian.

Source

By Kurt Campbell

SASOD’s Co-Chair, Joel Simpson
SASOD’s Co-Chair, Joel Simpson

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Local gay rights advocacy group – Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) – has called for Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill to be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities and be removed as a Member of Parliament.

According to the SASOD, Edghill who is also a Bishop is guilty of making hate speeches in relation to homosexuality and persons who practice the act; reasoning that it could incite ill-will against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) persons.

The Body was making specific reference to Edghill’s recent comments on the Radio Program ‘Hard Talk’ on 90.1 FM where he supported views expressed by Pastor Ronald McGarrell where he [McGarrell] said that homosexuality is a learnt behaviour and that all gay persons should live on an island by themselves to prevent it from spreading.

According to SASOD, “Edghill used the most inflammatory language describing homosexuality as destructive, unwholesome and unhealthy.”

The government MP had said that it is scientifically proven that homosexuals are more promiscuous, disease laden and violent than normal people.

“Edghill was adamant and unapologetic for his hateful comments which were clearly intended to incite ill-will against LGBT people, which is a violation of Article 146 (3) of the Guyana Constitution,” SASOD contends.

These concerns and recommendations were included in a submission SASOD made to the United Nations Human Rights Council as part of its 21st round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

SASOD’s Co-Chair, Joel Simpson is strongly convinced that Edghill’s language and tone amounts to hate speech.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill. [iNews' Photo]
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill. [iNews’ Photo]

He recalled another government MP, Manzoor Nadir who also shared his views on the issue. Nadir had said that more evidence needed to be provided of discrimination, violent or otherwise, against LGBT persons before the administration could take action.

To this end, Simpson said he would like to know “which rock Nadir is living under.” He said there is more than abundant evidence, adding that “I find it strange, in fact it is a backward position that we should wait until discrimination becomes rampant before we address it… if that’s the government’s approach, then it’s a dire situation.”

Simpson also took a swipe at Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira who had publicly stated recently that there is no fast track to making these changes.

“She is wrong, there is a fast track and it’s called political leadership. This is what this current government lacks when it comes to dealing with these issues, human right issues,” Simpson said.

He added that the true test of democracy is the administration’s ability to protect its minority; adding that the group is not in any way advocating for new rights but rather for the better protection of existing Human Rights.

SASOD maintains that there are breaches to the local constitution and international laws when it comes to LBGT persons in Guyana.

The group has compiled and submitted its own 11 page report: “On Devil’s Island” which addressed Guyana’s discriminatory laws and the denial of fundamental rights along with a list of 15 recommendations for the Guyana Government.

Among its recommendations are for the government to amend and repeal several laws, more human rights education and more sensitivity training for health care workers and implement mechanisms for reporting and redress where LGBT persons would have been violated.

Django
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

Zero.

The man was a dumbass PNC thug who was recruited along with others like Kwame, House of Israel's Joe Hamilton, treason accused Bynoe, Taps son Abdulla and others. Now some people want to make him a Mahatma and nominate him for PM.

Mars

Kp,

Made some good $$ from my sweat today.

Dirty money don't have "barakat"

You didn't get the jist why i made that post,Edgehil was a "square peg in round hole" at Ministry of Finance.

Today he is a hero,and want to make him PM.

Django
Last edited by Django
Mars posted:
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

Zero.

The man was a dumbass PNC thug who was recruited along with others like Kwame, House of Israel's Joe Hamilton, treason accused Bynoe, Taps son Abdulla and others. Now some people want to make him a Mahatma and nominate him for PM.

So all these thugs the PPP-ites pujay.

Django
Django posted:
Mars posted:
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

Zero.

The man was a dumbass PNC thug who was recruited along with others like Kwame, House of Israel's Joe Hamilton, treason accused Bynoe, Taps son Abdulla and others. Now some people want to make him a Mahatma and nominate him for PM.

So all these thugs the PPP-ites pujay.

This is not true.  I know Edghill personally.  He is head and shoulders above most when it comes to issues with the economy.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

He was a Junior Minister of Finance.  And a very brilliant man.

Bibi,

How will he be brilliant without having experience in Finance.

He is also a self appointed Bishop,change his name,damn i forgot he managed the congregation donations,there is where he got his finance experience.

Django
Last edited by Django
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Mars posted:
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

Zero.

The man was a dumbass PNC thug who was recruited along with others like Kwame, House of Israel's Joe Hamilton, treason accused Bynoe, Taps son Abdulla and others. Now some people want to make him a Mahatma and nominate him for PM.

So all these thugs the PPP-ites pujay.

This is not true.  I know Edghill personally.  He is head and shoulders above most when it comes to issues with the economy.

Where he got the experience ? from the street of Georgetown.

Django
Last edited by Django
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:

What sort of experience Edghill got in Finance ?

He was a Junior Minister of Finance.  And a very brilliant man.

Bibi,

How will he be brilliant without having experience in Finance.

He is a self appointed Bishop,damn i forgot he managed the congregation donations,there is where he got his finance experience.

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

Django
Last edited by Django

So Bibi, had Ugleisha Edghil stayed  with PNC would you still think he was such a brilliant man?

He has a PHD in Thelogy is this what makes him such a moron to say those who are gay should be living on their own island? Did he ever tell this to his boss BJ?

cain
Last edited by cain
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

I think he studied in the UK.  I will ask his mom who lives in Brooklyn and get back to you.  He also worked on Wall Street in the 1980s for a few years.

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

I think he studied in the UK.  I will ask his mom who lives in Brooklyn and get back to you.  He also worked on Wall Street in the 1980s for a few years.

Look at Trump, President of the US and a billionaire, yet a certified moron.

cain
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

I think he studied in the UK.  I will ask his mom who lives in Brooklyn and get back to you.  He also worked on Wall Street in the 1980s for a few years.

So he used to live in the US ?

Django
cain posted:

So Bibi, had Ugleisha Edghil stayed  with PNC would you still think he was such a brilliant man?

He has a PHD in Thelogy is this what makes him such a moron to say those who are gay should be living on their own island? Did he ever tell this to his boss BJ?

He has a PhD like Bibi graduated from NYU. The man was a street thug during Burnham days before he appointed himself a bishop. Ask him what church recognizes that he's a bishop. He's a dunce and knows zero about Finance.

Here's where he got his education.

Mars

@Django, you assured me that you would hold both the PPP and APNU+AFC accountable and I told you to roll up the tassa. Now, I'm observing that the vehemence with which you're pursuing PPPites is not matched with equal vehemence against PNCites. Throw away the bloody tassa; you're unreliable. I can't trust your words.

FM
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

I think he studied in the UK.  I will ask his mom who lives in Brooklyn and get back to you.  He also worked on Wall Street in the 1980s for a few years.

So he used to live in the US ?

Yes.  Most of his extended family live in Brooklyn.

Bibi Haniffa
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

He has a PhD in theology.  Are you doubting me that he was Junior Minister of Finance?  Stop putting the man down.  You don't know him.

Which University ?

No i am not doubting,just realize he was Junior Minister of Finance,which he was not qualified for.

I think he studied in the UK.  I will ask his mom who lives in Brooklyn and get back to you.  He also worked on Wall Street in the 1980s for a few years.

So he used to live in the US ?

He was probably deported.

Mars
kp posted:

You guys get time and a half or double pay for shooting Shit. I know some of you are single and don't have a life/wife.

You are so correct.  I am learning that GNI has a certain cesspool of liars and imposters.  Many are pretending to be who they are not.  They are the same ones who come on here to discredit people, many of whom they don't even know.  

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa
Gilbakka posted:

@Django, you assured me that you would hold both the PPP and APNU+AFC accountable and I told you to roll up the tassa. Now, I'm observing that the vehemence with which you're pursuing PPPites is not matched with equal vehemence against PNCites. Throw away the bloody tassa; you're unreliable. I can't trust your words.

Bhai,

i am waiting for more wrong doings of the PNC, you are aware they haven't got a free ride from Django.Granger said he give orders to open Escrow Account at BOG,an institution that handles Foreign Currency transactions for the Government.I asked the question if it's legal,I don't think any one answer.As far as i am concerned that is illegal.

Was he advised ? or use his legitimate power to do so.I said many times too much  Presidential power.

Django
Last edited by Django
Bibi Haniffa posted:
kp posted:

You guys get time and a half or double pay for shooting Shit. I know some of you are single and don't have a life/wife.

You are so correct.  I am learning that GNI has a certain cesspool of liars and imposters.  Many are pretending to be who they are not.  They are the same ones who come on here to discredit people, many of whom they don't even know.  

Bibi,

Information on Public figures are gathered easily,their actions reveal their credibility.No one is trying to discredit,just seeking the truth.

Django

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

K
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

Your English is atrocious. Bibi please help him. 

Mitwah
Mitwah posted:
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

Your English is atrocious. Bibi please help him. 

I have to admit that KP is one of the better writers on GNI.  His English is conspicuous.  I WILLN'T help him.

Bibi Haniffa
Mitwah posted:
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

Your English is atrocious. Bibi please help him. 

Why are you stalking me,are you looking for a Man on Gni. Hope you understand that  English Coolie Boy.

K
kp posted:
Mitwah posted:
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

Your English is atrocious. Bibi please help him. 

Why are you stalking me,are you looking for a Man on Gni. Hope you understand that  English Coolie Boy.

You were an English teacher and Insurance Undertaker. Your English grammar sucks.

Mitwah
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

He disobeyed the rules of the House.

Matter closed.

Keep on defending wrong doings.

I man does retire late,time don't bother.

Django
Last edited by Django
Django posted:
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

He disobeyed the rules of the House.

Matter closed.

Keep on defending wrong doings.

Why wasn't the police called in when Simona Brooms said She heard a goat barking or when Nicolette made her Chatree comment?  What did Edghill do that was wrong?

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
kp posted:

What truth you are looking for,you are seeking uncensored dirt on Edgill who was not offered his democratic right to ask questions in Parliament  as an MP. In other words you want to make the victim look bad. I often said GNI  is a forum for free speech but with limitations. It's 9.30pm give it a break .

He disobeyed the rules of the House.

Matter closed.

Keep on defending wrong doings.

Why wasn't the police called in when Simona Brooms said She heard a goat barking or when Nicolette made her Chatree comment?  What did Edghill do that was wrong?

He defied the speaker. 

Mitwah
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

Why wasn't the police called in when Simona Brooms said She heard a goat barking or when Nicolette made her Chatree comment?  What did Edghill do that was wrong?

Was a ruckus committed ? use your reasoning,you are fighting a loosing battle due to your committed support.

Nicolette need some more Education,with her Chatree remark.I made a few post condemning her statement.

Django
Last edited by Django
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

Why wasn't the police called in when Simona Brooms said She heard a goat barking or when Nicolette made her Chatree comment?  What did Edghill do that was wrong?

Was a ruckus committed ? use your reasoning,you are fighting a loosing battle due to your committed support.

Nicolette need some more Education,with her Chatree remark.I made a few post condemning her statement.

The ruckus took place AFTER the police entered the Chamber.  And by the way, Nicolette is still studying abroad on her Govt paid scholarship!  

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Django posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
 

Why wasn't the police called in when Simona Brooms said She heard a goat barking or when Nicolette made her Chatree comment?  What did Edghill do that was wrong?

Was a ruckus committed ? use your reasoning,you are fighting a loosing battle due to your committed support.

Nicolette need some more Education,with her Chatree remark.I made a few post condemning her statement.

The ruckus took place AFTER the police entered the Chamber.  And by the way, Nicolette is still studying abroad on her Govt paid scholarship!  

No. The police were called in when the PPP heavy weights built a wall around him.

Mitwah

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