Backer reverses Speaker’s ruling to allow Minister Rohee to speak - Retrogressive steps do not augur well for Gov’t business - AG

Deputy Speaker, Deborah Backer who presided over the National Assembly today disallowed the first reading of two new Bills that came before the House in the name of Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.

Backer said she will uphold the resolution passed by the House not to entertain any matter that comes to the House in the Minister’s name for as long as she is presiding.

The Opposition had used their majority to pass a No Confidence Motion and subsequently a gag Motion against the Minister. During the debate on the latter, the Speaker, Raphael Trotman had ruled that the matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

However, at the last sitting on February 7, the Speaker allowed the Minister to speak, which prompted the Opposition to walk out of the chambers.

The two Bills are: the Evidence (Amendment) Bill and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill.

The second reading of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill was also disallowed even though, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is the Leader of the House intervened and indicated Government’s desire to have that matter concluded.

In a subsequent comment Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall said that the Deputy Speaker has essentially disregarded the court pronouncements and reversed the Speaker’s position on the matter.

He made reference to the ruling of the Chief Justice which clearly states that the Home Affairs Minister has a right to speak and which called on the National Assembly to recognise that right.

“This does not augur well for the business of the National Assembly and more particularly, the business of the Government…every time these regressive steps occur, it backslides us into a state where we have to start all over again,” the AG lamented.

He added that today’s turn of event has again plundered this matter into a state of uncertainty as to whether or not Minister Rohee will be allowed to speak, moreso, now that the presentation of budget 2013 looms.

The Minister would be required to speak on behalf of the security sector. He will have to deal with the financial estimates that are required to be approved by the National Assembly.

Minister Nandlall said that if the joint services and other law enforcement bodies do not receive the requisite funding from the budget then the state of Guyana and its ability to deal with crime and other security related challenges will be jeopardised.