Press Releases

For Parliaments to assume their role in legislation, oversight and representation, they must develop parliamentary processes that are effective, and more open and accountable to the citizens. Information and communication technologies (ICT) provide critical tools for instituting strong, independent parliamentary assemblies that are able to successfully fulfill their role as guardians of democratic principles, promoters of the rule of law and protectors of human rights.  Guyana’s National Assembly recognizes this, and aims to keep improving its ICT delivery. As such, the Assembly today held a soft launch/briefing for Members of Parliament where they were updated on the steps that it has taken to improve its ICT delivery. This briefing was held prior to today’s Sitting in the Parliament Chamber.

The three projects unveiled were: the development of the website to make it more accessible, informative and interactive. This was done by consultant Cirrus Multimedia; the live streaming project to run concurrently with the website so that people throughout Guyana and in the Diaspora can see live what is happening in the Chamber and where permitted, in committees. This is being coordinated by Mr. Stefan Gajie; and to place the tools into the hands of MPs and staff to be able to communicate with each other and to receive and pass information on their activities. This is the project through which several MPs and staff members were issued with tablets. The coordinator of this project is Ms. Monett Garnett-Christopher, the Expenditure, Planning and Management Analyst at the Parliament Office.

Speaking at the briefing, House Speaker, Raphael Trotman said that at the commencement of the 10th Parliament, one of its goals was to bring the Assembly closer to the people and to remove the shroud of “mystery” and “untouchability”. “Someone once said that enlightenment is the key to everything and so with these projects we intend, with your support and involvement, to move the National Assembly in particular, and our democracy in general, into an era of enlightenment,” he said.

The United Nations Development Programme supported the initiative with 16.6 Million Guyana Dollars. Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Ms. Chisa Mikami in her remarks emphasized the new features of the upgraded website. Some of the new features outlined are Simplified Content Management and Administration, integrated search engine, hit Counter for articles posted to the website, social media integration, mass mailing integration for communication with Stakeholders, media recording of 10th Parliament (Documentary)  optimized for lower bandwidth connections, Profiles of Parliamentarians with related information such as motions moved etc. and integrated Live Streaming.
Ms. Mikami explained “As part of a wider programme of support to the National Assembly of the Parliament, UNDP over the past few years has been working with the Speaker, Clerk and staff to bring about improvements in the way the parliament works. During this period the HANSARD, Committee and ICT sections were the main beneficiaries.”

Further, it was noted that a process led by the parliament to design and implement improvements to the website commenced in 2013 and the ICT section which received improvement to the resource room, new equipment and improvements to the website are in keeping with the Parliaments quest to become a paperless Parliament.

She concluded by acknowledging the Live Streaming facility which is supported by the Government of Canada and handed over ten (10) Samsung Galaxy tablets to Members of Parliament.

The Parliament can now boast of the ability to stream all Sittings and some select Committee meetings via its website thanks to the Canadian High Commission which provided full funding.  Also present at the briefing was Dr. Nicole Giles, High Commissioner of Canada who noted that by providing unlimited, live and uninterrupted streaming of the proceedings of Guyana’s National Assembly, Guyanese throughout the country and in the diaspora around the world will be given a live, ring-side seat to national debates on issues that affect them, “it also gives equal access to all Guyanese regardless of their geographic location, gender or background.”

The High Commissioner posited that “it is a Government of Canada priority to support democratic development and expanded democratic participation, and to help strengthen institutions required for stability and growth.”   Parliament, she said, is foremost among these institutions.
It is important for members of the public to note that today’s soft launch was intended to ensure that all Members of Parliament are aware and on-stream with the ICT improvements being made. MPs were asked to peruse the site and provide feedback to further aide with the ICT deliver to the public. The website, complete with the live streaming of Sittings are expected to be made public within the next six weeks.