Internet for MPs living remotely, date set for committees meeting

Speaker Manzoor Nadir sounded a warning to members of the House who criticised him as he said allegations of bias against him can be brought to the House by way of a motion. When the Speaker addressed the National Assembly during the 14th sitting he pointed out that over the past few weeks a number of members of parliament made statements about the Speaker, “some reflecting on collusion, with respect to lack of transparency and accountability, dereliction of duty,” the Speaker said.

Speaker Nadir citing the Canadian House of Common Procedure and Practise, the Speaker said that the conduct of the Speaker can only be criticised only by way of a motion as he said that allegations of bias could be taken as breaches of privilege.

While the Speaker did not identify the comments made, he has been criticised for disallowing several questions and motions and also for not convening several standing committees including the Public Accounts Committee. In fact, a motion on the convening of the committees put forward by APNU AFC Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul was disallowed by the Speaker today as the Speaker said while it was important it was not urgent. The Speaker in addressing the late convening of the committees said that Parliament has signed a contract with “a provider” for internet access to be provided to some six parliamentarians to “participate directly from their homes,” the Speaker told the House. This will aid their participation in the committees the Speaker said as these members who reside in remote areas which are not served by “regular internet”.

The body has been meeting both virtually and in person as the country grapples with the COVID 19 pandemic. APNU AFC member of Parliament David Patterson has written to the Speaker several times as he called on the Speaker to convene the Public Accounts Committee to deal with urgent work, among these is the Auditor General’s 2019 report and several other pressing issues.

Today the Speaker announced that the committees will meet on December 28, 2020 at 2 PM.