Press Releases

In anticipation of the imminent resumption of the sittings and business of the National Assembly and given the various matters of urgent national interest, I consider it prudent to address a few important matters in preparation for sittings:

The annual recess runs for the period August 10 – October 10. This year, there appeared to be a much longer recess period because the House last met on July 10, 2014.

The Parliament Office is ready and rearing to resume the complete business of the Assembly which is a full agenda of critical issues.
At that time there were a number of outstanding matters to be addressed including:

 The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, the Telecommunications and Public Utilities Commission Bills, Education Bill, Customs Amendment Bill, the Wildlife Import and Export Bill, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, and the referral of the Petition by the Pensioners of the former GTC and GTT to a Special Select Committee, among others. These matters remain extant and are to be addressed on the resumption. I expect that new Questions, Motions and Bills will also be added to the Order Paper before the resumption. 

On the last business day before the recess commenced (Friday, August 8, 2014), a Motion, commonly referred to as a “No Confidence Motion,” was submitted for debate in the names of the Hon. Members Moses Nagamootoo and Cathy Hughes. Naturally, this motion as caused much national and international attention.

After receiving the benefit of advice and extensive research, I concluded that the Motion, unprecedented as it is, does qualify for debate as it meets the internationally acceptable standard for a motion of this nature.
Standing Orders 25-37 provide the procedures to be adopted for the submission, approval and debate of all Motions. 

Having regard to these Standing Orders, by way of letter dated August 14, 2014, I informed the Clerk that the Motion was approved.

In conducting research on the Motion, reference was made to the procedures in other CARICOM members Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, along with common wealth members the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, and New Zealand – all support the opinion that the Motion is in the proper form.

Procedurally, this Motion is no different to any other motion that is submitted, approved and debated by the National Assembly. As such, the Clerk will place the Order Paper for debate in keeping with Standing Order 14 (1) which states that the “Clerk of the Assembly shall prepare an Order Paper for each sitting of the Assembly showing the business before the National Assembly...”. Thereafter, the mover of the motion will indicate if and when the member is prepared to proceed with the debate. 
  
Because of the unprecedented nature of this Motion, I have taken the liberty of communicating with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Dr. William Shija, to alert him that the National Assembly may require guidance and support on the interpretation and application relative to the Motion. Similarly, I have also contacted my counterparts in the Caribbean informing them that their collegiate guidance may also be sought if becomes necessary. 

As Speaker, I will honour the oath of office that I took before God and man to uphold the Constitution and laws of Guyana and to protect and preserve the integrity, independence and inviolability of the Parliament of Guyana, I intend to do so without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

Our nation is at an important cross-road; demanding the absolute best of all well-thinking Guyanese, including, and especially, our Parliamentarians, as we continue the task of building this nation - a mission, I am confident we are all committed to accomplish.

September 30, 2014

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