Georgetown : Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman last evening called out the Opposition for what he described as ‘disrespect” shown to the fundamental process of good governance and the effective and participatory governance to democracy.
Tonight’s call out by Minister Trotman came after Speaker of the House Dr. Barton Scotland only yesterday lecturing members on the issue of respect and disrespect.
Rising to lend his support to Budget 2016, Minister Trotman noted some glaring examples of disrespect on the part of the opposition members asking “are we going to continue with the disrespect that we speak of.”
“There was disrespect shown when the Opposition was invited to be part of joint committees and that invitation was met by refusal,” the minister observed.
He noted that in the past when a similar invitation was issued from the Office of the President, the Opposition then never failed in to respond. “…we always respected the high office of the President and we attended whenever we were invited to participate in talks…," he observed.
The Governance Minister also noted that there was disrespect shown when the Opposition failed to honour the Herdmanston process by not taking up seats on Boards and Committees.
The Minister also noted that there was disrespect shown when the Minister of Finance presented the 2016 National budget and the Leader of the Opposition chose to sit in the members lounge, rather than sit in the Chambers.” Neither past Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin nor David Granger never, ever, disrespected the PPP’s Finance Minister in such a manner,” Minister Trotman pointed out.
Despite the position of the opposition, the Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment in taking up the mantel, and continuing to provide good governance, “whilst the other side comes to terms with the new political reality.”
The debate on the 2016 national budget will conclude on today. Next week there will be the examination of the estimates.
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