Five years after the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) promised Constitutional Reform, not a singular amendment to the Constitution was even drafted, let alone implemented, contends former Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.
The APNU+AFC’s promise of Constitutional Reform was made during the lead up to the May 2015 Regional and General Elections, which it won and secured a one-seat majority in the House. Nandlall, a former minister under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is now saying that “incompetence” caused the Coalition to fall short on that promise. The Coalition is again promising Constitutional Reform as the Nation gears up for elections on March 2, and Nandlall has reservations.
“Five years later, not a singular amendment to the Constitution was even drafted let alone implemented. After doing nothing for five years, [Prime Minister, Moses] Nagamootoo can be seen on the campaign trail fabricating stories about how great he is, as he desperately tries to be relevant, shamelessly begging for a sinecure appointment should the Coalition wins [sic] the elections. Now they barefacedly come in 2020 with another manifesto promise of Constitutional Reform,” Nandlall wrote on his Facebook page some hours ago.
During the APNU+AFC’s manifesto launch, last Friday, Public Security Minister and Coalition Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan noted that efforts to achieve the reformation of the Guyana Constitution were futile as the government was faced with challenges including those stemming from the sugar industry.
Ramjattan said that indeed the argument can be made that the Coalition was unable to achieve Constitutional Reform. However, he sought to rationalise this by saying that the government had more pressing issues to deal with.
“The trouble is: we’ve had a number of other challenges. One of course, is to ensure that sugar survives and be salvaged, and immediately after that, we had some other challenges that you’re aware of,” he said without expounding on the other challenges.
After assuming office in 2015, the APNU+AFC administration sought to restructure the sugar industry after it was revealed that tens of billions of dollars were being used to bailout the sector. Several estates have been shuttered since.
Ramjattan gave the assurance that the Constitutional Reform process will continue, and that the party – should it win the elections – will fast-track implementations after wide consultation, expert advice and parliamentary approval.
The AFC Leader noted that several recommendations were made to Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission, headed by former AFC member Nigel Hughes, and should the Coalition be re-elected, it will have to “itemised and inventorise” those suggestions to ensure the best method for implementation into the Constitution.
He noted that this approach is needed since the execution of some recommendations requires support from the majority or two-thirds of the National Assembly. Some even require referendums, he added.
