Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) lone parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir has questioned the decision to disallow four Questions Without Notice in the National Assembly, arguing that issues involving child sexual abuse investigations, electricity generation, uranium exploration and the Government’s cash grant programme carry serious consequences for citizens and deserve urgent parliamentary scrutiny.
The concerns were raised following Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, the first since February 14, when the House met to approve the Government’s $1.558 trillion national budget.
The more than three-month gap between sittings had itself become a source of public controversy, with critics arguing that Parliament was failing to perform its constitutional oversight role. Calls for the National Assembly to reconvene came not only from opposition parties and civil society groups but also from members of the diplomatic community, including representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union (ABCEU), who publicly underscored the importance of a functioning Parliament and robust democratic institutions.
Against that backdrop, Walton said four questions she submitted for the June 5 sitting were disallowed on the basis that they were not considered urgent.
The questions sought information regarding delays in child sexual abuse investigations, Guyana’s legal and regulatory preparedness for uranium exploration activities, contingency planning surrounding the country’s reliance on powership-generated electricity, and reports that overseas-based Guyanese who were assured they could collect the Government’s $100,000 cash grant upon returning home were later informed that they were no longer eligible.
While indicating that she respects the ruling, Walton argued that urgency should be measured by the impact an issue has on citizens rather than the amount of public attention it receives.
“Urgency is not measured only by headlines. It is measured by consequences,” Walton said.
She maintained that each of the issues raised involved matters of significant public interest and potential national importance.
“The questions concerned the timely investigation of child sexual abuse allegations, the adequacy of Guyana’s preparedness to regulate uranium exploration activities, whether sufficient planning was undertaken to prevent Guyana from being placed in a vulnerable position during negotiations concerning a major component of its electricity generation capacity, and concerns raised by Guyanese who may have incurred expense in reliance on public assurances regarding the cash grant programme.”
The child protection question comes amid growing concern about the handling of sexual offences involving minors. Child rights advocates have repeatedly warned that delays in investigations can place vulnerable children at further risk and weaken public confidence in the justice system.
Walton said the issue should not be treated lightly.
“Delays in child sexual abuse investigations can have serious consequences for vulnerable children.”
She also pointed to the importance of public accountability regarding uranium exploration, a sector that could have significant environmental, regulatory and national security implications if commercial activity expands.
The parliamentarian further highlighted the issue of electricity generation at a time when Guyana continues to experience power outages and uncertainty surrounding negotiations for the continuation of the Turkish powership arrangement, which supplies a substantial share of the country’s electricity.
“Questions concerning the Government’s contingency planning and management of electricity generation are particularly important given the ongoing power outages affecting households and businesses across Guyana.”
Another question focused on complaints from overseas-based Guyanese who reportedly travelled to Guyana after receiving assurances that their $100,000 cash grant entitlement would remain available for collection, only to discover that their cheques had been cancelled or were no longer accessible.
The cash grant initiative, funded through the country’s growing oil revenues, has been one of the Government’s flagship programmes, benefiting hundreds of thousands of Guyanese. However, questions surrounding eligibility and distribution have surfaced periodically since its introduction.
According to Walton, some citizens may have incurred significant travel expenses based on representations made about their eligibility.
“These are matters that, in my view, warrant timely public clarification and parliamentary scrutiny.”
The lone FGM parliamentarian said she intends to continue pursuing answers through the parliamentary mechanisms available to Members of Parliament.
Her statement adds to broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the National Assembly, particularly at a time when critics argue that Parliament is meeting infrequently despite major issues confronting the country, including child protection, energy security, natural resource governance and the management of public programmes funded by Guyana’s oil wealth.
