Key report paving way for constitutional reform presented to PM

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, on Thursday last, received an interim report from the Convener of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR), Nigel Hughes.

The SCCR commenced work on September 1st with a view to completing its work on December 31st.

The SCCR met the deadline by presenting to the Prime Minister the interim report, but requested an extension for the purposes of completing extensive consultations, a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister indicated.

“Prime Minister Nagamootoo is favourably considering the request for the extension. Prime Minister Nagamootoo thanked Mr. Hughes and the other members of the SCCR for their tireless work in preparing the interim report and indicated that he will review it thoroughly before making any public pronouncement.”

In addition to Mr. Hughes, the PM had appointed Prof. Harold Lutchman, Mr. Haslyn Parris, Mrs. Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Mr. Gino Persaud as members of the SCCR in August last.

The SCCR was tasked with setting-up the framework for a substantive Constitutional Reform Body intended to be broad-based and inclusive of all major stakeholders.

At the time Nagamootoo had said: “I am most pleased that Nigel Hughes has agreed to kick start this stage to come up with modalities and time frame for the actual reform process.”

The Prime Minister had also made it clear that the SCCR would not undertake any change to the existing constitution, but was tasked with mainly defining the scope of the actual reform process and establish the terms of reference and mechanisms for consultation to establish a Constitution Reform Commission.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo holds within his portfolio the responsibility for constitutional reform, in addition to being leader of government business in the National Assembly

There have been calls for constitutional reforms including the way elections are run, the power of the president and his immunity, and powers of the National Assembly.

A number of court cases and controversial decisions had seen the current administration, while campaigning, promising reforms.