Opposition files no-confidence motions against Health Minister and Home Affairs Minister

The motions were filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly and they seek the removal of Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn as the two no longer enjoy the confidence of the opposition in addressing issues related to their portfolios.

Opposition files no-confidence motions against Health Minister and Home Affairs Minister

The APNU+AFC Coalition today filed two motions of no confidence against two Ministers of the Government.

The motions were filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly and they seek the removal of Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn as the two no longer enjoy the confidence of the opposition in addressing issues related to their portfolios.

With regard to the Minister of Health, the Opposition believes he has bungled Guyana’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and should no longer be heading the Health Ministry.

Just after submitting the two motions, Opposition Leader Joe Harmon told reporters that there can be no confidence in Frank Anthony because of his failure to put proper systems in place to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Harmon pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana continues to spiral out of control with the Ministry of Health offering very little help to address the spread of the virus and the mounting deaths.

“This is basically running like a runaway train with no plan in place to deal with the COVID-19 situation in this country”, Harmon said.

He expressed concern once again about the procurement of Sputnik vaccines through a middle man in the United Arab Emirates.

Although the government paid for the vaccines in full and in advance, it is still awaiting more than 100,000 doses of the 2nd dose which is needed to complete the vaccination of persons against the virus. More than 100,000 persons across the country are now waiting on that 2nd dose and the government still has no idea when it will be provided with the dose.

Harmon said the government has been playing around with the lives of citizens and continues to fail to present full and concise information on the vaccination deal that saw Guyana going through a middle man and paying twice the price.

The Opposition Leader also wants to see the removal of Robeson Benn as Minister of Home Affairs.

Harmon said it appears as though even the government has lost confidence in Benn since the administration is making moves to set up a very secretive Regional Security Force with the aim of using that Force to tackle crime.

The Opposition Leader said the crime situation has also gone out of control with no plan in place. He said statistics about the crime situation are being hidden and there is no real attempt at solving major crimes.

He made reference to the execution of a man outside the Palm Court club and that murder remaining unsolved although there are several surveillance cameras in the area.

The Opposition Leader told reporters that while crime statistics are being hidden locally, other countries have been warning their citizens against traveling to Guyana because of the crime problem.

The Minister of Home Affairs he noted, has failed to come up with any crime-fighting strategy that will protect citizens.

Once approved by the Speaker, the two motions will be listed for debate in the National Assembly. With the government holding the majority in the Assembly, the success of the motions might be a longshot, but their presentation and debate could unravel key issues related to the security and health sectors.

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