It has been brought to my attention that several troubling developments are unfolding as it relates to the proper management of the Parliament of Guyana.
First, 2025 marks the fifth consecutive year in which the Office of the Parliament will not host a Christmas social for staff, with the explanation given that no funds are available. From 2021 to 2024, the Speaker, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, allegedly insisted that the staff social be held at the Everest Cricket Club, which he serves as President. No consensus was reached on the venue proposed by the Speaker, and so the Office chose to issue Christmas hampers instead. Now, in 2025, I’ve been reliably informed by several staff members that there will be no Christmas social or issuance of hampers. This raises serious questions about the allocation and use of funds budgeted for staff welfare.
Secondly, in addition to the political reasons that have contributed to the stalling of the election of the Leader of the Opposition, there also appears to be an attempt to avoid convening the meeting to redirect or retain the remaining 2025 funds allocated to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. It is alleged that these funds are intended to be shifted to the Office of the Speaker in the absence of the office of the opposition leader. This, if true, represents a troubling manipulation of parliamentary processes for administrative or personal advantage.
Thirdly, this is the first time in three parliamentary cycles that Members of Parliament have not been issued laptops at the start of a new Parliament. Though the Office budgeted for the devices and the procurement process went to tender, I was informed that the Speaker directed that the laptops be purchased from a business owned by his relative, thus delaying the process.
When these allegations are combined with an issue that persisted throughout the 12th Parliament, where the Speaker continuously bypassed the Assembly Committee and unilaterally determined that Beacon would be awarded the contract to provide meals for the Parliament, they reveal a sustained pattern of disregard for established parliamentary procedures and oversight mechanisms.
These allegations are serious and raise legitimate concerns about the responsible and transparent use of public funds, the prioritisation of personal interests over institutional integrity, the obstruction of parliamentary functions for reasons unrelated to governance, the welfare and fair treatment of parliamentary staff, and the ability of MPs to carry out their legislative responsibilities under such conditions.
Now it has become clear why the PPP was happy with the tenure of the current speaker in the last parliament. Our Parliament must at all times reflect the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and fairness. Guyanese deserve a Parliament that operates above personal interest and political manipulation, and one that respects both its Members and its staff.
I hereby call on the media to investigate and determine the veracity of these allegations, as confirmation of their truth would necessitate a serious examination of whether the current Speaker is fit to continue holding that office.
