Casino Bill a done deal

Kaieteur News
January 19, 2007

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Today the religious community is expected to be out in force outside Public Buildings when the House meets to debate the Gambling Prevention (Amendment) Bill.

Three years ago the religious community picketed and protested, even taking the protest to the Ocean View International Hotel which was the temporary home for the National Assembly. On that occasion the debate centered on the Sexual Orientation Bill.

The National Assembly voted and passed the Bill. On that occasion the Members of Parliament voted according to their conscience rather than along party lines.

However President Bharrat Jagdeo refused to assent to the Bill. This time around the House is preparing to debate the Gambling Prevention (Amendment) Bill that would allow for the introduction of casino gambling in Guyana and once more the religious community has come out strongly against the passage of the Bill.

However, according to Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, President Jagdeo will not renounce the Bill should it be passed in the National Assembly.

“This is a different kettle of fish.”

He said that when the president declined to assent to the Sexual Orientation Bill, his view coincided with those of the religious community. This time there is no such coincidence.

Asked about the likelihood of a conscience vote, Dr. Luncheon said that the members on the government side of the House discussed the issue at Cabinet and there was no opposition.

He said that in the House the vote would represent collective responsibility.

“It will be difficult to see the government side either abstaining or voting against the Bill.”

The Cabinet Secretary also explained the non-payment of salaries to some 200 young public servants for the past four months. He explained that the public sector employees are victims of a government decision to freeze employment in the public sector.

This decision was taken last November but by then these public servants were in the system.

He said that the elections further stymied any move to correct the situation which he described as unfortunate.

However, within weeks the National Budget should be tabled in the House and passed. This could see the situation being corrected almost immediately after.

Young lawyers just out of Hugh Wooding Law School, who, in keeping with contractual arrangements, were employed in the Office of the Attorney General, were among those caught up in the payment issue.

They remain on the job despite their non-payment.