Members of parliament were last evening urged to place their respective political positions behind them as they engage in a training seminar over the next two days aimed at building on the unique circumstances which now exist in the National Assembly.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day training seminar which commences today under the theme “Managing through partnership”, Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman told a gathering of government and opposition MPs at the Impeccable Banquet Hall on Brickdam that the citizens of the country “expect no less from us“ and as such parliamentarians should work as partners while getting down to the business of the House.
He said that parliamentarians should accept the realities that the 10th parliament present and “get about the people’s business”, adding that there are golden opportunities which exist within the new parliamentary make-up which can further advance the country’s democracy. The opposition has a one-seat majority in Parliament.
Trotman said that the government and the opposition being part of the highest office in the land are all accountable to the citizens of the country and according to him, this week’s seminar, which is the first in a series of programmes which Parliament hopes to hold, will present an opportunity for parliamentarians, young and old to share their experiences and learn from each other at the same time.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa noted that the two-day event will be an informative one which will bring parliamentarians together. She said that the UN offices here had signed an agreement with the government last year to further develop the parliament and she noted that this week’s initiative is an aspect of the agreement.
She said that the forum is a viable opportunity for the more experienced parliamentarians to reflect on their contributions and the functions of the House over the years and to continue to carve future contributions to parliament.
Musa said that the theme of the seminar was appropriately chosen as it reflects upon the composition of the current 10th parliament and according to her, the citizens will be looking at the government and the opposition to find a means of taking the country forward.
Speaking in the absence of the Opposition Leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Deputy leader of the APNU noted that the National Assembly has come a long way over the decades and he noted that the Constitutional Reform process, which was implemented in the late 1990s is still a work in progress. He added that the standing committees of the House have all contributed positively towards the functions of parliament. He said that while parliament will have difficulties moving ahead, both sides of the house have started on the right foot following last November’s elections by engaging each other on consultations in the form of the tripartite talks.
Roopnaraine stated that the National Assembly now has an opportunity for ”real collaboration“ adding that previously, ”collaboration was made an option of what one may or may not have”. Today, he noted, it is a necessity being undertaken by the new configuration of the House.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds speaking on behalf of the government said that the seminar presents an opportunity for the young parliamentarians to learn about the functions of the House. He said too that the new dispensation raises fundamental questions as regards the functions of the House.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre told the gathering that his mission supports the initiative fully and according to him, the forum lies within the democratic consolidative process of last year’s elections. He said that it’s a work in progress which will bring benefit to the populace.
The seminar is being undertaken by the Guyana branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with inputs from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
