The demand on our time, intellect and energy will no doubt be tremendous for the rest of this session and in order to assist your performances, the House will put all the requirements for the discharge of these onerous responsibilities at your disposal. The realization of this informed the decision to allocate funds to members offices in the current budget. Let me assure you that the House budget will be implemented as approved and that there will neither be deviation nor variation. As we commence business this year, I want to congratulate you for the matured way and brotherly manner our numerous crises were resolved last year. This is indeed the essence of democracy.
Democracy is about peaceful resolution of conflicting opinions and interests.
It is our responsibility as committed democrats to ensure that no opinion is stifled. Democracy is also an exercise in which the minority has its say while the majority has its way. We must avoid the tyranny of either the majority or the minority becoming dictatorial. The responsibility which fortune has thrust on our shoulders should be discharged effectively. Let us put the past behind us and march forward with confidence in God and commitment to a lasting democracy in our Fatherland.