- stages walkout
A DISAGREEMENT between members of the Government benches in Parliament and the main opposition on whether to debate or discuss the recent killings of 11 residents, children included, in the community of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, led to the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leading a walkout.

As a result, the issue was addressed by only speakers from the Government side of the House, who all vehemently condemned the January 26 terror act and also called on the PNCR to label such acts as a massacre’, and to also admit that the volatile and violence-proned village of Buxton is a haven for criminals.

Those who contributed to the discussion were Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee; Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford; Minister of Labour, Mansoor Nadir — who also spoke on behalf of his party, The United Force (TUF); Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn; General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Donald Ramotar and Member of Parliament, Gail Teixeira.

The walkout has its genesis in a call by Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, at about 15:30 h, for the Standing Orders of the House to be suspended to allow for the debate on a motion titled ‘Brutal and Horrific Killings of 11 Guyanese citizens’ submitted by PNCR leader, Robert Corbin.

With no unanimous agreement, a division was called and the motion was defeated with 26 members being in favour, as against 31 opposed to it.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds, speaking to media operatives on the issue, explained that the motion was disallowed because it was not in keeping with parliamentary procedures.

The three-part motion called on the House to resolve to condemn the brutal and horrific killing of the anise, extend its deepest and sincerest sympathy to the families of the 11 citizens as well as the murdered GDF Corporal, and calls on the Government of Guyana to implement a definite plan of action to arrest the downward spiralling of the country’s security.

However, the Government benches were not in agreement with the wording of the latter resolve, pointing out that the issues are addressed in the Security Action Plan

Mr. Corbin, however, feels the Government does not want to discuss the latter issue.

Minister Rohee in his presentation likened the absence of the PNCR members from the discussion on such a matter of national concern “disrespectful” and “careless dishonour” to the memories of those who died.

His sentiments were echoed by Minister Westford who said, among other things, that the time has come for political grandstanding to stop and for the opposition parties to stop their ambivalence on the issue of national security.

She reminded that criminals have no allegiance to anyone, that “once they cannot get things done their way, you will become the next victim.”

It was Minister Nadir’s view that the walkout of the PNCR would send mixed signals to the populace, while Minister Benn said it was regrettable that such incidents should happen on St Valentine’s Day.

He urged all Guyanese to condemn and abhor the killings, and the “butchering” of children.

Minister Teixeira questioned what would have stopped the PNCR members from being present in the House to lend their condolences and condemn the gruesome act in Lusignan.

According to her such an action is “worrying, disturbing and highly suspect.”

She also chided the Alliance for Change (AFC) for being influenced.

In addition, she called on the media to stop romanticizing the criminals.