| Govt. reneges on Freedom of Information Bill again |
| Saturday, 07 August 2010 | |
|
Following several revised deadlines for the long awaited Freedom of Information legislation to be tabled in the National Assembly it appears that interested stakeholders will have to wait awhile longer. Several Government Officials including Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the Bill would be tabled in the House by this August before the Parliamentary recess that commences Tuesday, with the final sitting on Monday. The Bill is yet to be placed before the National Assembly. When contacted yesterday as it relates to the fact that the Bill is yet to become a reality, People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Donald Ramotar said that it is not because of any lack of political will. He said that all stakeholders agree that the legislation is important and necessary, but he stressed that the delay was as a result of the limited capacity as it relates to drafting. Leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, who had tabled and since put on pause a proposed bill, had recently told this newspaper that he was disappointed that the Government did not see it fit to support the Freedom of Information legislation. He had noted that his disappointment was further fuelled by the fact that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association had held a workshop for Parliamentarians and media operatives, where Freedom of Information (FOI) was extensively discussed. He conceded that legislation such as the FOI will take time, but pointed out that there was a resounding call by Guyanese, who were now beginning to understand the importance of such a piece of legislation, as well as the calls from the international organisations. Trotman emphasised that Freedom of Information is important for good governance and transparency. The essence of the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), is the empowerment of the populace to request any piece of information (with few exceptions, such as medical records) held by a public authority. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Our Staff
M.BenschopPublisher
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
A. Reteymyer - Editor in Chief
Sharda Dasrat - Editor
Our Contact Address
USA OFFICE
GUYANA OFFICE
Mission Statement
Foundation Membership Form
Application form for any person applying for membership in The Mark Benschop Foundation.
Please download and print out the membership application form and send completed form to our office nearest to you.
Download Membership form.doc
Don't be left out! Join the Movement of Change for a better Guyana
Do your part to rid Guyana of the racial and backward politics that is slowly taking over the country. Join us in giving hope to the people of Guyana regardless of their ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.Visitors Counter
Online Radio
Latest News
- The Commissioner of Police, Greene raped me
- Remove Miss Guyana Universe from the hands of Odinga Lumumba
- Wikileaks Cable: "Rohee and Greene are linked to drug traffickers"
- Commissioner of Police, Greene should be charged with rape
- Guyana Commissioner of Police broke down in tears over pending rape charge
- Police preparing rape charge against Top Cop, Henry Greene
- Canada intercepts cocaine in Guyana star apples
- Over 3,000 child molestation reports made last year
- Teen accused of raping 7-year-old for court today
- Opposition calls on Government to act decisively to suppress piracy
Contribute to our Website
Anyone wishing to contribute articles or letters to The Guyana Observer News, can email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view itAdvertisement
Are you looking for the best prices in town, Realiable service and door to door pick up and delivery? Then contact Williams Caribbean Shipping today. Mention that you saw this ad on our website and receive a 10% discount!