Basil Williams elected Deputy Speaker as Dr. Karen Cummings sworn in as APNU MP

By Kurt Campbell

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Legal Affairs Minister and Chairman of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Basil Williams was today elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

He was nominated by Opposition Chief Whip Amna Ali; a nomination which was seconded by APNU MP Rupert Roopnarine.

Williams’ appointment comes as longstanding People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Member Dr. Karen Cummings was sworn in as the newest APNU MP following the resignation of Deputy Speaker and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Deborah Backer.

Dr. Cummings will not be holding any Shadow Ministerial Portfolio however; Leader of the Opposition David Granger and APNU’s Africo Selman will be handling the Foreign Affairs Portfolio.

According to Opposition Leader David Granger, Dr. Cummings brings to the fore considerable experience in medicine and he looks forward to her contribution in the National Assembly. He did note however that the shoes of Former Deputy Speaker Backer will be hard to fill but he believes that Dr. Cummings expertise can compensate in that regard.

She was also welcomed to the House by the Government side, who also noted its anticipation to her contribution.

Meanwhile, APNU MP Ronald Bulkan was also elevated to the front bench on the opposition’s side.  Backer resigned after a prolonged illness which had caused her to miss several sittings of the House.