ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada: The opposition National Democratic Congress is concerned over the delay in convening Parliament following the November 27 General Elections and Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas has written to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell requesting that this takes place by next week.

Addressing the media at the first news conference which the party has held since winning seven of the fifteen seats in the General Elections, Thomas said there are pressing national matters which must be dealt with in the Parliament.

Government's loan guarantee for the Nutmeg Association to pay bonus to farmers and last week's devastating flood on the outskirts fo the city are issues which must be addressed urgently in the country's Parliament, Thomas said.

"Over two weeks have gone since the last General Elections and we believe by now we should have had notice of a sitting of Parliament in Grenada," Thomas said.

Generally Parliament is opened within two to three weeks of an election, Thomas said.

The letter to the Prime Minister from the Leader of the Opposition said,
"Several important issues have occurred which necessitates the urgent
convocation of Parliament in order to address the matters of State affecting the citizens."

Thomas is asking that the Keith Mitchell Administration convenes the Houses of Parliament by Tuesday.

"I am therefore compelled to request that you take all necessary steps to have Parliament opened on or before December 23, 2004 and I respectfully pledge my cooperation in all matters requisite for this to happen," he wrote.

Last week Dr Mitchell told private sector officials not to expect a budget presentation before late January or early in February. When his office was contacted Press Secretary Nancy Mc Guire said there is no
information on when Dr Mitchell might move to instruct the Governor General to convene Parliament.

Officials at the Houses of Parliament were also unable to give any indication about a likely date.

The convening of Parliament is crucial to the issue of the loan to the GCNA.

MP for St George's North-east Nazim Burke said the NDC has learnt that the NNP government is seeking to facilitate the borrowing of $5 million dollars from the National Insurance Scheme for the GCNA but he pointed out that this could not take place without Parliamentary approval. Burke said the NDC endorses government's intentions to help the GCNA but wants to see it happen the legal way through the Parliament.

He accused the NNP government of misleading farmers and said government must be transparent and accountable.

Thomas said, "It is important that we see the Parliament functioning and let the people know what is happening."

A letter has also been dispatched to the Prime Minister requesting an urgent meeting to discuss what Thomas said are matters pertinent to the work of mParliament and the functioning of the Opposition side of the House.

The Opposition leader wants to discuss matters such as constituting the Public Accounts Committee, the watchdog committee that oversees national finances, constituency allowance for Parliamentarians and financial allocation for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

Other areas which the NDC wants to talk about with the Prime Minister include live broadcasts of the proceedings of both Houses, air time for the Opposition on the Grenada Broadcasting Network and other media houses, and appointments to Boards of State corporations and companies.

SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM