Resolution for extension of SoE hits a snag

The government's bid to push through a resolution to extend the State of Emergency ran into choppy waters on Tuesday afternoon.

Opposition members of the House indicated that they were not willing to support the extension unless clarifications were furnished by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Leader of Opposition Business Derrick Kellier asked for time to allow the two sides to arrive at a consensus on the extension.

This resulted in the temporary House Speaker Gregory Mair granting a ten minute recess.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding argued at the start of the debate on the resolution that an extension of the State of Emergency is necessary for national security.

Parliament’s approval for the State of Emergency in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine to be extended for another month come amid a whirlwind of criticism that has dogged the Goldign administration since it first invoked emergency powers since May 23 in the Corporate Area.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding brought a resolution to Parliament seeking legislative support for yet another extension for the State of Emergency for Kingston & St. Andrew and St. Catherine days before the current one expires.

The State of Emergency for Kingston & St. Andrew and St. Catherine will continue until August 21.

In laying out his case before legislators, Prime Minister Golding said security chiefs told him on Monday that the extension was necessary as the security forces intensified the fight against gangsters in the criminal underworld.

He said the security forces had made a pitch for emergency powers to be imposed in Clarendon but no final decision has been made on that recommendation by the Cabinet.

“The decision, particularly as it relates to the sanction of emergency powers in Clarendon has to do with the intelligence they have which has indicated that as their operations have been carried out there are persons, who have been involved in much of the criminal violence that we have been experiencing for long periods, that they have taken refuge in other parts of the island,” Mr. Golding said.

He defended his government’s decision to extend the State of Emergency arguing that the country and by extension the parliament cannot play Russian Roulette with the country’s security

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was forced to elect a Speaker to temporarily preside over the business of the nation's Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

Member of Parliament for North East St. Catherine, Gregory Mair, was elected to serve as Speaker of the House, in accordance with Parliament's Standing Orders which makes provisions in the event that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent.

The absence of House Speaker Delroy Chuck and Deputy Speaker Marissa Darymple Philbert, prompted members of the House to elect Mr. Mairto preside over the sitting.