Sheila Veerasammy yesterday took the oath of office as the newest People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament.
Veerasammy, who is a long-standing member of the PPP and current General Secretary of its women’s arm, the Women’s Progressive Organisation, replaced Dr. Clive Jagan, who resigned from the National Assembly due to ill-health.
Speaking with Stabroek News after her swearing in, Veerasammy referred to her inclusion in the legislature as a proud moment for women. Veerasammy’s selection as an MP takes the number of female opposition parliamentarians to 10 and the number of total female parliamentarians to 22 in the 65-seat House.
Addressing her expectations, the new MP said that she recognises that there is a lot for her to learn and she intends to listen and observe so that in time she will make “exceedingly profound contributions that will be affecting someone’s life.”
In welcoming Veerasammy to the House, Speaker Barton Scotland first extended congratulations on her selection to serve in the Assembly before expressing the hope that she will “add luster and polish” to the deliberations.
