SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT RECEIVES ERC ANNUAL REPORTS

The Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC), on Monday handed over the annual reports of its work to Parliament, the oversight body responsible for its activities.

The reports for the years 2018 to 2020, were presented on behalf of the last batch of Commissioners by former ERC Chairman, General Bishop, Reverend Dr. John Oswald Smith, to the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Manzoor Nadir at the New Thriving restaurant in the city.

“We can take some justification in the job over the last three years and I want to commend the Commissioners for working together and hopefully moving the country forward,” the former Chairman reminded.

The Speaker commended the Commission for the work done over the last three years but expressed regret about the ERC lacking a proactive approach in its work. “The National Assembly will reconvene on the 10th of October and we should be submitting the reports during the next sitting,” the Speaker assured.

A range of concerns and recommendations were documented in the reports during the last term of the Commission which were obtained from Commissioners, citizens and other stakeholders living in the country’s ten regions.

Additional concerns and recommendations were also obtained from Guyanese living abroad during the inaugural ERC “National Conversation on improving Ethnic Relations” held in December last year in collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.

Ethnic Relations Commission

2021-09-24