…new speaker Manzoor Nadir promises to be fair, impartial
In a move that surprised the opposition, the People’s Progressive Party Civic on Tuesday used its majority to deny the main opposition- APNU+AFC the deputy speakership when the National Assembly convened.
Lenox Shuman- the leader of the Liberty and Justice Party and the representative of the joinder list was nominated by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and seconded by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira. The coalition on the other hand nominated former Speaker, Raphael Trotman. When the nominations were put to a vote, the PPP/C used its majority to elect Shuman, who was only recently appointed an adviser on Civil Aviation by the government. The PPP/C’s backing of Shuman is a second sign of how the government intends to leverage Shuman’s vote in the House.
Mr. Shuman was Toshao for his village St. Cuthbert’s Mission in Region Four and served as Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos Council. He formally entered politics in 2019; forming the Liberty and Justice Party and contested the March 2, 2020 elections as the Presidential Candidate. Prime Minister Phillips congratulated Shuman on his election to the post. “Likewise I extend similar congratulations to Mr. Lennox Shuman on his election as Deputy Speaker and for Amerindian Members of the house, this day, the first day of Amerindian Heritage Month; I extend special congratulations to you, all Amerindians of the House and Amerindians throughout Guyana”, he said.
Meanwhile, veteran politician, Manzoor Nadir was elected Speaker of the National Assembly for the 12th Parliament. Mr Nadir was also nominated by Prime Minister Phillips with support from Teixeira. There was no other nomination or objections. With a political career spanning over 40 years, Mr. Nadir served as the former leader of The New and United Force (TUF) before holding the position of Minister of Labour from 2001 to 2011 under the Peoples Progressive Party Government.
In his acceptance speech, the new Speaker said having sat in the House for some 23 years as a member on both the opposition and government sides, he understands the importance of the position and promises to be impartial, fair, and just while upholding the rules, laws and procedures in the execution of his responsibilities.
“As we embark on the agenda for the commencement of this Assembly, I am enthused and dedicated to making this 12th Parliament one that will positively impact on the pertinent issues such as constitutional reform, legislative reform and the implementation of new laws that cater for our changing realities”, he said.
The Speaker commits to working with all sides “to ensure that this 12th Parliament be inscribed in the history of our country as being the most successful ever”.
In congratulating the new parliamentarians, Nadir urged that they remain united in their love and patriotism for Guyana and not be divided by their differences. “The responsibilities that come with membership of this Honourable House require dedication, unbiased dialogue, integrity and most importantly acting in the best interest of the people of Guyana, without whom, we all would not have been here today”, the House Speaker reminded.
Nadir added: “when an individual is nominated by a list of electors on nomination’s day, he/she does so with the understanding that your constituents are entrusting you with their lives, their future and will rely on you to represent them by speaking on their behalf.” Nadir further urged MPs to always be accessible to their constituents.
