Dear Editor,
I am very disappointed that the Opposition Leader, David Granger, has refused to agree to the confirmation of Justice Carl Singh and Justice Ian Chang as Chancellor and Chief Justice, respectively, since these distinguished and honourable gentlemen have been acting in those positions for several years.
I am of the view that they have served extremely well in the past and the nod should be given without further delay. Mr Granger should take into consideration that the Guyana Court of Appeal is no longer the final court since the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) replaced it eight years ago after 35 long years when the country had only one appellate court.
Article 127 (1) of the new Constitution states that the President appoints the Chancellor and the Chief Justice after obtaining the agreement of the leader of the opposition. I am amazed that the Constitution was amended to “agreement” since the powers that be knew that it would be almost impossible to obtain consent to these important appointments by the opposition leader, whether he or she is PPP/C or PNCR.
Former Legal Consultant Bryn Pollard said that he had advised all concerned to include a safeguard in the constitution if approval could not be obtained from the leader of the opposition, but his suggestion was cast aside by the politicians.
Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean and maybe in the Commonwealth which requires consent from the opposition leader for the appointment of these two important judicial offices.
Since the opposition parties have more seats in Parliament than the so-called governing party, the country is at a standstill in certain areas since the opposition opposes government piloted bills and opposition measures passed in Parliament do not become law because the President does not give his assent to them.
Is this the correct attitude of our so called leaders?
Yours faithfully,
Oscar Ramjeet
