Press Releases

In this edition the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, A.A., and his team ventured to Region No. 9, Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo, to meet former Members of Parliament.

“I thought I was forgotten,” said Mr. Phillip Duncan, J.P., A.A, former Member of Parliament, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Development & Co-operatives, Minister of State- Regional (Rupununi), and Minister of State- Regional (Northwest), “but it takes a man like you, Sherlock, to remember all of the former Members of Parliament and to visit them,” this was said as he thanked Mr. Isaacs for the visit.

“Once a man twice a child Sherlock, this is the position I am in now,” said Mr. Duncan during discussions surrounding their life’s journey.

The two further reminisced on the countless times they traversed the Amerindian Villages in the North Pakaraima Mountain ranges on foot during a period when that was the only mode of transportation.

“Lovely idea,” said Mr. Edward DaSilva, former Member of Parliament upon receiving his Plaque and Certificate.

Their discussion surrounded the work of the National Assembly during his tenure, their health, and the need for an increase in the Parliamentary Pension. “You could up the Parliamentary Pension,” said, Mr. DaSilva before expressing his gratitude to Mr. Isaacs, A.A., Clerk of the National Assembly, for his visit.

Mr. Narine is doing quite well” said Mr. Isaacs, responding to Mr. DaSilva's enquiry of Mr. Frank Narine, C.C.H., former Clerk of the National Assembly.

Mr. Isaacs further shared stories of the passing of knowledge from Clerk to Deputy Clerk and Mr. Narine’s kindness to him.

The outreach programme was initiated to visit, express thanks, and check on the welfare of former Members of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. It would also allow our young citizens to know the former Members of Parliament.

According to the Clerk, this was his way of checking on the welfare of the former Members of Parliament who spent long hours in the National Assembly debating policies and making laws for the good Government of Guyana.

In an emotional and heartfelt speech, Ms. Shirley Melville, former Member of Parliament, thanked the Clerk of the National Assembly for the visit. “Mr. Isaacs, I would like to thank you very much for making the effort to journey here to reach out to me”.

Mrs. Melville also expressed her patriotic love for her country. “I must say that my country is important to me and whatever I have done was definitely from my heart. It has been a lot of sacrifices, however, I feel that, as my former late headmistress would always say, whatever your hands findeth to do, do it with all your might, and that is what I have lived by in all my life.”

Mr. John Fredricks, former Member of Parliament, on a lighter note, reminisced on the late hours spent in the National Assembly during his tenure. During his discussion with the Clerk, Mr. Fredricks shared stories of when the Clerk served as the Regional Executive Officer in Region No. 9. 

Before parting ways, Mr. Fredricks commended the Clerk for his gesture and thanked him for the visit.

Mr. Isaacs informed the former Members of Parliament of his commitment to producing an archival project in the form of a booklet which will be presented, by him, to each former Member. The booklet will include background information, and a compilation of speeches, Bills, or Motions presented in the house by each former member.

The former Members were presented with Certificates of Appreciation, Plaques for their years of dedicated service, and COVID packages containing vitamins and cleaning supplies, among other things.

Mr. Isaacs, during each visit, assured the former Members of Parliament that his secretariat will continue checking on their welfare on a quarterly basis.

Former Members of Parliament Visited

Name: Mr. Phillip Duncan, J.P., A.A, former Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development & Agriculture, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Development & Co-operatives, Minister of State-Regional (Rupununi), and Minister of State-Regional (Northwest).

Years of service: 15 Years, 11 Months, and 5 Days

Name: Mrs. Shirley Melville, former Member of Parliament

Years of Service:  5 Years, and 16 Days

Name:  Mr. John Fredricks, former Member of Parliament

Year of Service: 4 Years, 11 Months, and 4 Days

Name: Mr. Edward DaSilva, former Member of Parliament

Years of Service: 3 Years, 10 Months, and 27 Days

Join us in the next publication as the outreach programme continues.