Opposition blanks Caroni debate

PERSONS IN the public gallery who attended yesterday’s sitting of the House of Representatives expecting to hear fiery debate on the restructuring of Caroni Limited may have been the only ones disappointed as the government’s attempt to draw the Opposition United National Congress into debate was resisted.

At 2 pm Leader of Govern-ment Business Ken Valley rose and requested the adjournment under Standing Order 90 to allow the UNC to bring the motion “if they so desire”. This prompted Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, who was in attendance after being away for several weeks, to declare: “We born yesterday?” UNC Chief Whip Ganga Singh reminded Speaker Barry Sinanan that he has repeatedly told the government to bring to the House a detailed plan on Caroni which they would be willing to debate. Opposition MPs endorsed his statement by pounding their desks and telling the government, “Don’t hide.” Valley said the government is willing to waive the Standing Orders, but this remark caused Panday to respond: “Wave it nah, I waving too”, as he brandished a book.

Two other requests for adjournment were raised by Opposition MPs but they were turned down by Sinanan. Princes Town MP, Subhas Panday wanted to highlight the shortage of pipe borne water in several areas in his constituency and Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma sought to raise the demolition of the homes of persons who had received “letters of comfort”. The Speaker advised them to make their requests under Standing Order 11 (2 and 3). The Caroni issue was not to be forgotten, however, as Valley asked that a matter involving Couva South MP, Kelvin Ramnath be sent before the Privileges Committee. He cited a story in the Express dated March 24 in which Ramnath reportedly called Sinanan and Deputy Speaker Hedwidge Bereaux “fools” for not granting his request to raise Caroni Limited. Valley spoke about parliamentary rights and privileges and said the Couva South MP “committed a most flagrant contempt” on the House. The Speaker said he would rule on a future date. The House later returned to debate on establishment of a Committee to make recommendations for Constitution reform.