Press Releases

The Clerk of the National Assembly and staff of the Parliament Office on Wednesday, 27th May, 2015 said farewell to outgoing Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Raphael G.C Trotman at a simple ceremony held in the MPs’ Lounge, Public Buildings, Brickdam. In wishing Mr. Trotman farewell, as his tenure as Speaker of the House comes to an end, Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, said Mr. Trotman’s leadership has been remarkably instructive and interesting. He noted that the outgoing Speaker came up with well-conceived ideas and accepted suggestions from staff for the improvement of the Parliament Office and the National Assembly, resulting in numerous achievements, namely: the construction of a new website, acquisition of laptop for Members of Parliament with respect to a paperless parliament, a ramp for disabled persons, staff appreciation day, honouring of Members of Parliament, live streaming of sittings of the National Assembly, Women’s Appreciation Day, Children’s Christmas Party, Independence Exhibition, Schools Outreach Programme, Replacement of Chairs for Members of Parliament, a Sitting of a National Youth Parliament among other significant initiatives. The Clerk further noted that Mr. Trotman, as Speaker of the National Assembly, has made the most rulings in the history of the Parliament of Guyana, “he has made twenty five rulings on all aspects of Parliamentary procedure and practice, during his tenure….His rulings were well researched and entirely free from bigotry, that is, from my knowledge, his rulings were free from prejudice and partiality.” Other staff also took the opportunity to thank Mr. Trotman for the guidance and support he has given and the concern he showed for the welfare of the staff during time as Speaker. Mr. Trotman, noting that the time has come for him to move on, thanked the staff for the support given to him over the past three years. He said that his greatest disappointment as Speaker is that he was unable to bring the parties closer together but maintained that he did what was right and upheld the constitution. Mr. Trotman will be returning to the 11th Parliament as Minister of Governance.