Guyana is a parliamentary democracy. It is at this forum- which the Constitution prescribes is the nation’s highest decision-making- deliberations, oversight and laws are supposed to happen. It is this forum where all elected representatives, bar none, participate in shaping the development of Guyana, ensuring the welfare of Guyanese, and the protection of the nation-state. It is this forum where the Opposition oversights the Government and its management of the affairs of state, holding the government accountable on behalf of the citizens.
Guyana is evolving and as the world becomes more complex, including trade relations, exploration and exploitation of our rich natural resources, the Parliament needs to emerge from its inactive state. Inactivity may be to the interest of those who do not want accountability, despise government oversight, or hate laws that would protect all the people, the nation’s resources and the management of state, but such is not to the interest of a young nation on the cusp of economic greatness.
An inactive, do-nothing parliament does not operate in the interest of society. An inactive do-nothing parliament will breathe more corruption in government, businesses, and among individuals. An inactive parliament will allow for the government to abuse citizens, particularly political opponents, and those they desire to marginalise. The media and citizens can do so much in exposing government malfeasance, but it is the Parliament which will rigorously debate, disinfect, and seek to correct these issues. While some may see this as useless because the Government has the parliamentary majority, it is not.
Deliberations in parliament are necessary for democracy to thrive. These not only expose what government is doing, allow for the Opposition participation and Government response simultaneously, but countries and international organisations are more inclined to take note of Guyana’s development or lack thereof when issues are ventilated at this forum.
There are inter-parliamentary groups where complaints about the lethargy or disinterest by the Speaker of the National Assembly and Executive to make parliament functional and meaningful, included but not limited to the World Bank, could be lodged. These bodies can and should be lobbied to bring pressure on the Government and Speaker to have more sittings.
There are too many parliamentary committees not being able to function and this is adversely impacting the overall functioning of government. A notable one is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). This Committee which is chaired by the Opposition oversights the government’s management of the Consolidated Fund. When it does not meet not only are the designated members in the committee not allowed to do their work on behalf of the people, but citizens are left in the dark how their tax dollars are being spent or dispersed.
Much is in the news about government’s spending, be it on COVID-19 relief, the Guyana Sugar Corporation, hiring and so forth. It is to the nation’s benefit to know if the money being spent is spent prudently and properly accounted for. A government that has nothing to hide would not want the PAC not to be functional. An Opposition that is determined to do its work of oversight will insist that committees such as these functions. If it requires lobbying citizens, regional and international organisations to ensure this, then this approach must be utilised.
Gone are the days when the sitting of parliament should be solely determined by the Executive. The Legislature is an independent and co-equal branch of government. The Opposition would be in order to assert itself and operate with due respect and diligence for this branch. Almost half the society has elected the Opposition to represent their national and personal interest. With this significant support behind the leaders, they must go forth boldly on the people’s behalf.
A do-nothing Parliament will not work. There is too much to deliberate, propose and oversight. Much is at stake in the new oil and gas economy. A government that has the international notoriety for being corrupt and divisive cannot and should not be left unsupervised or unchecked.
