APNU blasts Parliament office over hiring of foreign nationals as security for National Assembly sittings

Opposition Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity, Dr. Terrence Campbell, has lashed out at the Parliament Office over the hiring of Spanish-speaking foreign nationals to provide security for sittings of the National Assembly.

At last Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana, several foreign nationals were observed in the precincts of the National Assembly providing special security. The security of the Parliament and sittings of the National Assembly has always been handled by the Guyana Police Force.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, made no announcement about the hiring of private security with foreign nationals for sittings of the House.

On Friday, Dr. Campbell expressed concern over the presence of the security teams with foreign nationals. He said answers must be provided.

“I think it is totally unacceptable, it was a poor decision, ill-thought, misguided to have these foreign nationals at the Parliament providing security. But whether they had undergone proper security clearance or not, I do not think that this country or any self-respecting country should leave the security of its National Assembly or even the President to foreign nationals, it should not happen,” Campbell noted.

Campbell wants the Speaker of the National Assembly to terminate any contract or employment relationship with the foreign nationals providing security services to the Parliament saying it is a threat to the security of the country.

In an address to the nation on Thursday, President Irfaan Ali warned of threats against the country being received by national and international intelligence. He also spoke about the alleged presence of a Venezuelan gang in the country.

On that issue, the Opposition Member of Parliament said the President should have briefed the Opposition parties on any possible security threats facing Guyana before going public.

“The absence of a briefing of the Opposition taken together with recent events involving the police and shots fired at the Opposition Leader, would naturally leave many Guyanese to question seriousness of the claims of the President, many would believe that his address amounted to scare tactics,” Campbell said.

Dr. Campbell said the President’s message should not be interpreted in isolation, adding that the presence of Spanish speaking security in the precincts of the National Assembly is concerning and that issue needs to be addressed.

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