Court humbles opposition’s arrogance, vindictiveness – President

In wake of a final and binding ruling by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang that the National Assembly, not being Parliament, has no jurisdiction to negate the powers of any member, President Donald Ramotar believes the government has been taking the right course of action all along.

The ruling follows a no-confidence motion piloted by opposition leader David Granger and passed by the House on July 30, 2012 against Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee following the death of three protesters in Linden on July 18, 2012, over the now shelved electricity tariff hike in Region 10.
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall turned to the High Court to nullify the motion.
The opposition contended that Minister Rohee gave direct orders to the police officers on the ground to shoot at the protesters, and also charged that he failed to provide proper oversight of national security.
The ruling by the chief justice made it clear that Minister Rohee has a constitutional right to speak; and that the National Assembly, not being the Parliament, cannot negate or deny him that constitutional right to speak, which extends to the presentation of any motions or bills as is expressly guaranteed by the Constitution as a right to an elected member.
Welcomed ruling
“I welcome the ruling of the chief justice and hope very much that good sense will prevail, and that we will continue with the work of the nation,” President Ramotar said in his response.
The attorney general, who was resolute in the case on behalf of the Guyana government received praise from Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill, who believes that the chief justice’s ruling coupled with that of the Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman a few days ago is “finality.”
In the event that the opposition continues with their wasteful posturing, the minister said it would not come as a surprise as opposition leader David Granger and Alliance For Change (AFC) member Khemraj Ramjattan and their charges have not fully demonstrated an interest in truth, logic and principle.
He reminded, however that the business of the National Assembly, which is also the “people’s business”, needs to be addressed.
“We need to have the Fire Arms Amendment Bill; we need to have the various pieces of legislation that are before the House debated and passed to better the lives of the people, to bring security to the citizens, to ensure the safety of all Guyanese, and to ensure the continued progress and development of this nation,” Minister Edghill said.