Protect Priya, says Rohee

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

The government has called on Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman to “protect” Education Minister Priya Manichand from further “abuse” in the National Assembly and be given a right to address Parliament.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C),Clement Rohee made this appeal on behalf of the government at its weekly press conference at Freedom House in Robb Street today. This comes after the Speaker was forced to defer Friday evening’s sitting of the National Assembly totoday , Monday , after the Opposition’s “desk banging” actions caused an uproar when Manichand rose to speak on the 2014 budget debate. The issue arose after the Education Minister heckled Opposition Member of Parliament, Volda Lawrence during last week’s sitting of the National Assembly.

Former APNU Member of Parliament (MP) , Jaipual Sharma later resigned in relation to the Manichand’s actions.Rohee reading from a statement said that the action of the APNU on Friday evening show’s “disrespect for law and order” as he lamented the actions of the Opposition to gag government MPs in Parliament.

He stated that there was an agreement which was made after the incident in which the Chief Whips of both sides met with the Speaker. He said the Education Minister later clarified her actions following that meeting, and according to him, the APNU MPs acted contrary to what was agreed upon following that meeting.“The PPP calls on the Speaker of the National Assembly to stand by his decision “ Rohee said adding that the Speaker “must exercise control  and protect Minister Manichand from further abuse” and  “ be given the right to speak in Parliament”

.Asked whether the Minister will issue an apology to Sharma, Rohee reiterated that a compromise was already made when both sides met with the Speaker following the incident.