During a television programme on GTV-11, Minister Nadir said that besides trying to attract more media attention, they wanted to distract the media from the important piece of legislation that was passed in the National Assembly.

Members of Parliament of the PNCR and GAP/WPA Alliance walked-out of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 19, 2003 before the Third Reading of the Procurement Bill 2003 after their proposals for the Bill to go before a select committee was rejected by the Government.

Minister Nadir noted that he was not surprised that the Parliamentarians walked-out because they realized that they could not win because the debate was healthy and good. He added that the Bill was debated by both sides.'

The Minister said the Opposition Parties call for the Bill to go before a select committee was a delaying tactic, so that they can further say that Government does not want greater transparency.

He noted that the Opposition Members of Parliament could not say that they were not aware of what is in the Procurement Bill 2003, because a copy of every Bill is usually sent to all of them after it is assented by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He explained that the original Bill was passed in May 2002, but apparently the PNCR absented their minds and bodies from the activities that took place in the National Assembly during their boycott. He added that the business of the nation has to go on although the Opposition boycotted the Parliament.

Minister Nadir noted that the PNCR made a number of criticisms that enough consultations were not conducted on the Procurement Bill. However, the Minister pointed out that consultations were conducted both locally and internationally.

"I found the comments made by the Opposition ludicrous because this Bill is a user-friendly version of the 2002 Act," said Minister Nadir. He explained that after the 2002 Bill was passed there were further consultations because Government wanted to benefit from the best international practice.

He added that Leader of the main Opposition party, Mr. Robert Corbin tried to say that some of the things he agreed to relating to the Bill in the Communiqué signed by himself and President Jagdeo, was different than the actual Bill. The Minister noted that Mr. Corbin could not develop his point because he agreed to everything that was in the communiqué in relation to the Bill and the same points were in the Procurement Bill 2003.

The Minister emphasised that the passing of the Procurement Bill 2003 takes politics out of procurement. He explained that gradually, Cabinet would no longer have anything to do with the award of contracts. He noted that a National Body will be established and also a Public Procurement Commission.