– says ‘working together’ critical
Former Clerk of the National Assembly Frank Narain said he is unhappy with the sickening state of affairs in Parliament today, asserting that the continuous gridlock has only served to stall development at the national level.
He said too that from his travels since retirement, the Guyana Parliament needs a new complex that will enable it to be more effective in serving its constituencies.
There have been constant criticisms of the work of the current Parliament, with government and opposition colliding on almost every issue.
Noting that he is saddened by the way things are happening, Narain said it only leads to having less being done, which in general hampers development. Narain, who served as clerk for 51 years, noted that he has never experienced a similar situation during his tenure, pointing out that what is happening now warrants special attention.
He said from discussions with the current Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, he was made to understand some of the challenges he (Isaacs) is facing.
Working together
Narain said things are likely to remain the same in Parliament if members do not get down to working together.
The former clerk believes that while the new dispensation is good to some extent and has created greater accountability, it is not necessarily helping to fast-track government’s work the way it ought to. He believes that there are many important issues which are being stalled at Parliament. Narain said if these issues could be addressed, it would bring greater development for the country.
ew complex
Meanwhile, Narain said after serving Parliament for so many years and having had to opportunity to travel and understand how other Parliament operates, he said there is a need for a new complex. This, he explained is necessary in order for each parliamentarian to execute his/her mandate more effectively and to enable them to better serve their constituencies.
Narain joined the Colonial Secretary Office of British Guiana in 1951. He served as a clerk, and on May 25, 1966, one day before the country gained independence, his appointment as deputy clerk was announced. That appointment became effective in September of 1966. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Clerk of the National Assembly, until his retirement in 2002.
