House reaches consensus on DFC report
--PNC/R returns to National Assembly
By Chamanlall Naipaul
Guyana Chronicle
July 9, 2004
CONSENSUS on the report of the Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) established just over a year ago to investigate and make recommendations to improve the operations of the Disciplined Forces was reached during yesterday’s debate in the National Assembly, which saw the return of the main opposition party, the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) after several months of absence.
All the parties represented in the National Assembly endorsed and commended the work of the DFC and expressed the view that its work was a step in the right direction to move Guyana forward.
The atmosphere in the National Assembly was a lively one, unlike the dour, one-sided presentations, which characterised parliamentary proceedings during the PNC/R’s boycott.
However, the re-entry by the PNC/R also brought some degree of drama during the marathon deliberations at the Ocean View Convention Centre, The discussions continued until late last night.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Ralph Ramkarran, issued a stern warning to PNC/R’s Deborah Backer for cross-talking while he was making a presentation clarifying a ruling he had made at an earlier sitting disallowing a motion by the PNC/R to bring to the agenda the crime situation as a matter of urgent importance.
Mr. Ramkarran threatened Ms. Backer with removing her from the sitting if she persisted with her behaviour. He then attempted to continue with his presentation. But as he was doing so, there was laughter from the PNC/R’s members.
This brought an instant reaction from the Speaker, who immediately removed from his chair and retired to his Chambers.
Eventually, after a discussion between the Leader of the Opposition and the PNC/R, Mr. Robert Corbin and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud, the matter was amicably resolved. This caused a delay of the proceedings for about 30 minutes.
Mr Corbin, on returning from the discussion, cautioned his members to desist from speaking while the Speaker was on the floor.
However, later on during the debate, the Speaker again had cause to issue another terse warning to Ms. Backer. On this occasion, it was for delving into matters, which are sub judice (before the Court).
But Ms. Backer did not heed the caution of the Speaker and continued in the same vein. Consequently, he ordered her to refrain from referring to the matters engaging the attention of the Court and he warned her if she did not comply she would be gagged.
Ms. Backer then apologised and continued her presentation without referring to the Court matters.
Preceding the Speaker’s ruling, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member, Mr Bernard De Santos, rose on a point of order objecting to Ms. Backer reference to Court matters.
Opening the debate for the Government and introducing the motion to have the DFC report adopted, Prime Minister and acting Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Sam Hinds recalled that the Disciplined Forces Commission came into being as a result of the dialogue process between President Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Desmond Hoyte.
The Prime Minister welcomed the return of the PNC/R to the National Assembly. However, Opposition Leader Corbin heckled back saying, “It is only for today”.
Mr Hinds, conceding that the Disciplined Forces need greater resources, disclosed that over the years the Government has been increasing funding allocations. He pointed out that capital allocations from 1992 to the present for the Police and army have increased from $45M to $500M and $7M to $245M respectively. He added that more Police and Fire Stations have been built, and that the Coast Guard has been better equipped with the acquisition of the H.M.S Essequibo and other marine vessels.
He agreed, though, that there is a need for more to be done, but pointed out that a scarcity of resources is hampering this. He suggested that this would come about when there is greater economic output.
Mr Corbin in his presentation exhorted that lessons should be learnt from the work of the DFC, noting that the success of the DFC demonstrates the importance of consultation on matters of national interest.
He also urged that the spirit of compromise from all sides is necessary to bring harmony and peace in the society so that the country can move forward.
However, he criticised the Government for taking so long to agree to the establishment of the DFC, describing its action as being “dilatory.”
This position was endorsed by most of the opposition parliamentarians who spoke during the debate, but they indicated that the recommendations contained in the DFC report should go to a Special Select Committee for greater detailed examination for the purpose of implementation, which was moved by an amendment to the motion, by PNC/R’s Raphael Trotman.
Members on the Government side concurred with the submission to refer the recommendations of the DFC to the Special Select Committee.