Tripartite discussions threatened by reckless Opposition behaviour in Parliament
Written by Adele Rampersaud
Friday, 17 February 2012 22:31
THE Government is of the view that the tripartite discussions with the Opposition are being threatened by the reckless behaviour displayed in the National Assembly on Thursday, Presidential Advisor on Governance and Member of Parliament (MP), Ms. Gail Teixeira said.
Gail Teixeira:
She told reporters, at a press conference after the sitting, that the government will review the developments which took place in the House and make further decisions.
However, Teixeira gave the assurance that government remains committed to the talks with the other side but, like President Donald Ramotar said at the official opening of the Tenth Parliament, cooperation and partnership should be exercised.
“We want partnership, we want cooperation, we want to build our country but we will not be held hostage,” she reiterated.
Asked how long the government is prepared to continue the tripartite relationship given the developments, Teixeira replied:“Until it doesn’t work anymore.”
She noted that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has a long history of talking in the worst of times under the most severe pressure and also in the best of times.
Teixeira added that the party has always kept doors open to dialogue, keeping what is best for Guyana and to put the development of the country on the front burner.
With regard to the Opposition’s utterances of putting the interest of Guyanese first, she said that strongly contradicts the actions at Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly to disapprove the $6.5M used to pay wages to staff of the General Registrar’s Office for overtime work during the registration period of elections, ensuring that eligible persons received their birth certificates and were qualified to vote.
NEVER EXPERIENCED
Teixeira said the Opposition’s move to vote against something that would benefit workers comes as a surprise to her, as was never experienced during her 19 years in Parliament.
“This action has raised eyebrows as to whether the Opposition is really interested in representing the interest of the Guyanese people or scoring political points. It can also be seen as a demonstration of the combined Opposition’s intention to prove the powers that a majority has in Parliament,” she posited.
Teixeira said another point to note is that a number of other items that attracted larger sums of money were not objected like those which warranted tremendous amounts of controversy and debate.
Meanwhile, the ruling party charged that the National Assembly has, again, violated the Constitution and the laws of Guyana and the combined Opposition breached a commitment, made at the tripartite level, to work together in the interest of Guyana.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) selectively withheld authorisation for various expenditure items and bluntly refused to consider Financial Paper number eight and, subsequently, moved a motion for it to be reviewed and reflect greater transparency, then resubmitted, a statement said.
The PPP/C said it sees the Opposition Parliamentary alliance as being used to undermine constitutionality and disregard parliamentary norms and traditions.
Earlier this week, APNU also said the tripartite talks appeared to be in jeopardy, citing President Donald Ramotar’s remarks that its engagement in irregular activities led to the claims of rigging of the 2011 General Elections.
However, Opposition Leader, Mr. David Granger pledged that the coalition will continue to meet with the government and seek explanations on the issue.
Written by Adele Rampersaud
Friday, 17 February 2012 22:31
THE Government is of the view that the tripartite discussions with the Opposition are being threatened by the reckless behaviour displayed in the National Assembly on Thursday, Presidential Advisor on Governance and Member of Parliament (MP), Ms. Gail Teixeira said.
Gail Teixeira:
She told reporters, at a press conference after the sitting, that the government will review the developments which took place in the House and make further decisions.
However, Teixeira gave the assurance that government remains committed to the talks with the other side but, like President Donald Ramotar said at the official opening of the Tenth Parliament, cooperation and partnership should be exercised.
“We want partnership, we want cooperation, we want to build our country but we will not be held hostage,” she reiterated.
Asked how long the government is prepared to continue the tripartite relationship given the developments, Teixeira replied:“Until it doesn’t work anymore.”
She noted that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has a long history of talking in the worst of times under the most severe pressure and also in the best of times.
Teixeira added that the party has always kept doors open to dialogue, keeping what is best for Guyana and to put the development of the country on the front burner.
With regard to the Opposition’s utterances of putting the interest of Guyanese first, she said that strongly contradicts the actions at Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly to disapprove the $6.5M used to pay wages to staff of the General Registrar’s Office for overtime work during the registration period of elections, ensuring that eligible persons received their birth certificates and were qualified to vote.
NEVER EXPERIENCED
Teixeira said the Opposition’s move to vote against something that would benefit workers comes as a surprise to her, as was never experienced during her 19 years in Parliament.
“This action has raised eyebrows as to whether the Opposition is really interested in representing the interest of the Guyanese people or scoring political points. It can also be seen as a demonstration of the combined Opposition’s intention to prove the powers that a majority has in Parliament,” she posited.
Teixeira said another point to note is that a number of other items that attracted larger sums of money were not objected like those which warranted tremendous amounts of controversy and debate.
Meanwhile, the ruling party charged that the National Assembly has, again, violated the Constitution and the laws of Guyana and the combined Opposition breached a commitment, made at the tripartite level, to work together in the interest of Guyana.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) selectively withheld authorisation for various expenditure items and bluntly refused to consider Financial Paper number eight and, subsequently, moved a motion for it to be reviewed and reflect greater transparency, then resubmitted, a statement said.
The PPP/C said it sees the Opposition Parliamentary alliance as being used to undermine constitutionality and disregard parliamentary norms and traditions.
Earlier this week, APNU also said the tripartite talks appeared to be in jeopardy, citing President Donald Ramotar’s remarks that its engagement in irregular activities led to the claims of rigging of the 2011 General Elections.
However, Opposition Leader, Mr. David Granger pledged that the coalition will continue to meet with the government and seek explanations on the issue.
