The opening of Guyana’s 13th Parliament began on a note of substance and accountability, with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Riaz Z. Rupnarain submitting a written parliamentary question that directly challenges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to account for its handling of the plight of Guyanese students affected by the recent hurricane in Jamaica.
Observers have praised APNU for starting the new parliamentary term in this focused and policy-driven manner, noting that if the opposition continues along this path, its performance in the 13th Parliament could well surpass that of the 12th.
In the question submitted on November 3, 2025, Rupnarain referenced a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on October 26, 2025, and a Stabroek News article published on October 29, 2025, titled “Guyanese students in Jamaica disappointed at lack of Government support to date.”
Citing these reports, Rupnarain called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to give clear answers regarding the government’s response to citizens affected by the natural disaster. The written question, lodged under Standing Order 19, reads:
“Pursuant to Standing Order 19, can the Honourable Minister state
What specific consular measures have been implemented by the Ministry to assist Guyanese students affected by the recent hurricane in Jamaica?
Whether the Guyana High Commission in Kingston established an emergency contact mechanism to directly engage affected students and coordinate relief with Jamaican authorities?”
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds up to 185 mph. In its wake, the island suffered unprecedented devastation—homes and hospitals were destroyed, landslides buried entire communities in the west, and nearly half a million residents were left without power.
The inquiry reflects growing public concern about the welfare of Guyanese nationals studying abroad and whether the government has adequate systems in place to respond to crises affecting citizens overseas.
The October 29 Stabroek News article quoted students in Jamaica expressing disappointment at what they described as “a lack of timely communication and material support” from Guyanese officials following the hurricane. According to the report, several students in Kingston and Montego Bay said they had to rely on local charities and fellow Caribbean nationals for assistance in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its October 26 statement, had assured the public that efforts were underway to contact affected students and coordinate with Jamaican authorities. However, the lack of visible follow-up prompted Rupnarain’s question, which seeks to determine whether the ministry’s promises translated into concrete action. Political commentators say the move marks a welcome shift in parliamentary tone. Rather than grandstanding or political theatrics, APNU’s first formal intervention in the new session addresses a tangible issue of national concern — the protection of Guyanese citizens abroad in times of crisis.
“This is exactly the kind of performance the opposition needs to sustain,” one political analyst observed. “It’s evidence-based, precise, and speaks directly to the public interest. If they keep this up, the 13th Parliament could see a more constructive and effective opposition than the last.”
The question also puts renewed attention on the broader responsibilities of Guyana’s diplomatic missions. With increasing numbers of students and workers overseas, the adequacy of consular services has become a recurring issue.
Rupnarain’s intervention signals that APNU intends to hold the government accountable not only on domestic governance but also on foreign policy and international cooperation — an area where oversight has often been minimal.
With the 13th Parliament now underway, all eyes are on the Foreign Minister’s response. The government’s reply will be an early test of whether it intends to meet this new era of parliamentary scrutiny with transparency — or retreat into the evasive habits that frustrated the last Parliament. The issue gives the administration a chance to prove that its foreign service can act swiftly and compassionately when Guyanese abroad are in distress.
If APNU maintains this level of parliamentary engagement — rooted in facts, public interest, and clear oversight — the opposition’s performance in the 13th Parliament could indeed be stronger, sharper, and more credible than it was in the 12th
