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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 68TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST OF GUYANA HELD SESSION (1992-1996) OF THE SIXTH PARLIAMENT AT 2.00 P.H.

ON FRIDAY, 19TH JANUARY, 1996 IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (72) Speaker (1) The H o n .

Derek C. J a g a n , s.c., J.P., H.P., S pe a k e r o f the National A s s e mbly Me•bers of the Govern•ent - People's Progressive Party/Civic (42) The Hon.
Samuel A. Hinds, M. P. , Prime Minister The Hon.

Reepu De.man Persaud, J.P. , M. P. , Senior Minister of Agriculture (Leader of the House) The Hon.

s. Feroze Mohamed, H.P., Senior Minister of Home Affairs (Goveniment Chief Whip) The Hon.

Harripersaud Nokta, M. P. , Senior Minister in the Ministry of Public Works, CoJDDmi.cations and Regional Development * The Hon.

Rev.

Dr. Raa'lauth Bisnauth, Education and Cultural Development M.P., Senior Minister of * The Hon.
Bernard C. DeSantos, S.C;, H.P., Attorney General and * The Hon.

Dr. Henry B. Jeffrey, of Legal Affairs {Absent) Minister of Labour, H.P., Senior Minister Human Services and Social Security The Hon.

Clement J. Rohee, H.P., Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon.

Gail Teixeira, H.P., Senior Minister The Hon.

M. Shree Chan, H.P., Senior Minister of Health of Trade, Tourism and Industry *The Hon.

Bharrat Jagdeo, H.P., Senior Minister Mrs. Janet Jagan, O.E., M.P.

The Hon.
The Hon.

Clinton C. Collymore, M.P.,Minister of Finance , I\; in the Ministry of Agriculture The Hon.

Indranie Chandarpal, M. P. , Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Hwlen Services and Social Security *The Hon.

F. Vibert DeSouza, H.P., Minister CoJllllll.D'li.cations and Regional Development *The Hon.

George E. Ftm.g-<n, M.P., Minister The Hon.


Moses V. Nagamootoo, M.P., Senior Minister in the Office of the President of Local Government in the Ministry of Public Works, Member *Non-elected / ... • 2 Mr. Cyril C. Belgrave, H.P.

Mr. Fazil M. Ali, M.P.

Mr. Husman Alli, M.P.

Mr. Shaik K.z.

Baksh, M.P.

Mr. Komal Chand, H.P.

Mrs. Shirley V. Edwards, M.P.

Dr. Hughley H. Hanoman, M.P.

Mrs. Una A. James, M.P.

Mr. Alston A. Kissoon, M.P.

Dr. Moti Lall, H.P.

Hr.

Khemraj Raajattan, M.P.

Hr.


Donald Ramotar, M.P.

Mr. Lawrence E. Rodney, H.P.

Mrs. Pauline Sukhai, M.P.

Mr. Winslow M. Zephyr, M.P.

Mr. Reuben A. Gilbert, H.P.

Mr. Edward DaSilva, H.P.

Mr. Khadia Bacchus, M. P. ( National Congress of Local Democ ratic Organs) Mr. Samad A. Baksh, M,P, (Region No.

2 -Pomeroon/Supen Mr. Harrinarine Mr, Joseph Desouza, H.P.

(Region No.

1 -Barima/Waini) Mr. Eugene La Cruz, H.P.

(Region No.

9 -Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) (Absent) Mr. Bagot Paul, M.P.
(Region No, 8 -Potaro/Siparuni) (Absent) Mr. Kum Karan Ramdas, M.P.

(Region No.

6 -East Berbice/Cor Hr.

Ramrattan, entyne) H.P., a/k Balkarran (Region No.

3 -Essequibo Islands/ aam) Baldeo, H.P.

(Region No.

5 -Mahaica/Berbice) West Demerara) Meabers of the Minority (29) {i) People's National Congress (26) A.A., H.P., Chief Whip M. P. , Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. H. Desmond Hoyte, S.C., H.P., Minority Leader Mr. Robert H.O.

Corbin, H.P.

Mr. Winston s. Murray, C.C.H., M.P.


(Absent - on leave) Dr. Patrick L. McKenzie, Hrs.

Clarissa Riehl, H.P.

Dr. Kenneth F.S.

King, H.P.

Mr. Deryck M.A.

Bernard, H.P.

Mr. Dunstan Barrow, H.P.

Miss Amna Ally, M.P.

Hiss Jean H,G.

Persico, A.A., M.P.

Mr. Arthur A. Alexander, M,P, Mr. Simon H. Ng-See-Quan, Mr. David Subnauth, Mr. Reynold N. David, M.P.

(Region No.

7 -Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Mr. M, Idris Deen, H.P.

Mr. Aftabuddin Ahamad, H.P.

Mrs. Cyrilda A, DeJesus, H.P.


Mr. Kenrick T yndall, M.P.

Mr. Phillip Bynoe, M. P. (Region No.

10 -Upper Demerara/Berbice) Mr. Andy Gouveia, H.P.

Mr. Hukumchand, Miss Joan c. Richards, H.P.

(Absent) Mr. John A. Fredericks, H.P.

Mr. Ivan Peters, H.P.

(Region No.

4 -Qemerara/Mahaica) Mr, Hubert K,H.

Hyman, M,P, Mr. Ivor Allen, H.P.

H.P., a/k Parag M.P.

/ ••• 3 L 3.

(ii) Working People's Alliance (2) M.P.

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Hr.

Matheson Williams, H.P.


(National Congress of Local Democratic Organs) (Absent) (iii)The United Force (1) Mr. Hanzoor Nadir, M.P.

OFFICERS Mr. Frank A. Narain, A.A., Clerk of the National Assembly Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 2.10 p.m. PRAYERS The Clerk read Prayers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER (i) New Year Greetings As that was the first sitting for the year, the Speaker welcomed Members and extended best wishes to them for 1996.

He also stated that he was seeking their continued advice and co-operation working together for a successful year.

and was looking forward to their (ii)Leave The Speaker announced that leave had been granted to Mr. Winston Hurray for that sitting.

I ... 4 4.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS ETC.


(1) By the Prime Minister: l/(i) Annual Report of the Teaching Service for the year 1994.

Commission (Circulated) _.- (ii) Report of the Commission of Inquiry into discharge of cyanide and other noxious substances into the Omai and Essequibo Rivers.

(Dated 5th January, 1996) (Circulated) (2) By the Senior Minister of Agriculture (Leader of the / House): Annual Report and Accounts of the Guyana Sugar for the year 1994.
Corporation (Circulated) ( 3 ) By the Senior Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security: V (i)Annual Report of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for the year 1994.

(Circulated) ....- (ii) Review of the Operations of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund for the year 1994.

(Circulated) (4) By the Senior Minister of Finance: Estimates of the Revenues and Expenditure of Guyana for the financial year 1996.

(Circulated) I ... 5 5.


MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND MOVED BY A MINISTER Suspension of Standing Orders The Senior Minister of Agriculture moved the following motion which was put and carried:- (Leader of the House) BE IT RESOLVED: That Standing Orders Nos.

9(2) and 32(9)(a) be suspended to enable the Senior Minister of Finance to complete uninterrupted the reading of the Budget Speech for 1996 at the sitting of the Assembly on Friday, 19th January, 1996.
(Notice Paper 92 (M72 Govt59) published 15,1.96) PUBLIC BUSINESS MOTION MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1996 (1996 BUDGET) In accordance with article 171(2) of the Constitution, the Senior Minister of Finance signified that Cabinet had that the National Assembly should proceed upon the recommended motion for the approval of the Estimates for the financial year 1996. of Expenditure The Senior Minister of Finance then moved the motion for the approval of the Estimates year 1996 of the total sum of $30,946,218,00� $15,622,872,000, for the financial excluding by law (see Appendix).
which is chargeable of Expenditure The Senior Minister read the Budget Speech.

The motion was then proposed.

ADJOURNMENT At 3.37 p.m., on a motion by the Senior Minister of (Leader of the House), the Assembly was adjourned to Agriculture 2.00 p.m. on Monday, 29th January, 1996.

/ ... 6 • 6, Distribution of Docu•ents following documents Following the Adjournment were distributed to Members: of the Assembl� the ( i ) Budget Speech by the Senior Minister of Finance for 1996.
(ii) of the Revenues and Expenditure Estimates for 1996.

(iii) Capital Projects Profiles for 1996.

(iv) Motion by the Senior Minister of Finance for the approval of the Estimates Expenditure for 1996. of Speaker of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT Public Buildings, OFFICE, Georgetown.
19th January, 1996 APPENDIX MOT:CON BY TBB KDaSTBR OF l"XHANCB 1fBBRBAS the Constitution the revenues and expenditure should be laid before the National Assembly; of Guyana requires that estimates of of Guyana for any financial year the Constitution AND WBBRBAS estimates Appropriation for the issue from the Consolidated meet that of expenditure Bill shall expenditure; also provides that when the have been approved by the Assembly an be introduced in the Assembly providing Pund of the sums necessary to AND WBBRBAS estimates year 1996 have been prepared of revenues and expenditure of Guyana and laid before the for the financial Assembly on 1996-01-19; HOW I "l"BBRBl'ORB BB l:T RBSOLVED: for the financial year 1996, of a total sum That this National Assembly approves the estimates of expenditure of thirty billion, nine hundred and forty-six million, two hundred and eighteen thousand dollars ($30,946,218,000) and twenty-two thousand dollars ($15,622,872,000) by law, as detailed therein and summarised in the undermentioned to amend the law and to make further provision to finance.
and agree that it is expedient in respect fifteen billion, six hundred which is chargeable , excluding million, eight hundred and seventy-two schedule, .
.6 .... t Jagdeo inister of Finance ICIH:tSTRY OF FDDHCB 1996-01-19 (ii) SCHEDULE DIVISION HEAD NUMBER IN NUMBER IN CAPITAL CURRENT ESTIMATES ESTIMATES NET SUM GRANTED CURRENT CAPITAL all figures GS'OOO PRESIDENT 1 Office of the President 2 Guyana Defence Force 3 Guyana National Service 552,336 1,229,635 140,099 501 Office of the President 500,689 PRIME MINISTER 4 Office of the Prime Minister 20,664 CONSTITUTIONAL AGENCIES Office General of the Ombudsman 5 Parliament 6 Office of the Auditor 7 Office 8· Public and Police Service Commissions 9 Teaching 10 Public Prosecutions 11 Public Service Appellate 12 Elections Commission 13 Public Utilities Service Commission Tribunal Constitutional Commission Agencies LEGAL AFFAIRS of Legal Affairs ,.,,.
14 Ministry 15 Supreme Court of Judicature .
�·' 16 Magistrates 17 Attorney General 18 Official Receiver 19 Deeds Registry Ministry of Legal Affairs 20 Ministry Ministry FOREIGN AFFAIRS of Foreign of Foreign Affairs Affairs HOME AFFAIRS -Police of Home Affairs of Home Affairs 21 Ministry 22 Ministry 23 Prisons 24 Police Complaints 25 Fire Protection 26 National 27 General Services Registration Centre Register of Home Affairs Ministry Office Authority AGRICULTURE Division of Agriculture 28 Ministry 29 Crops and Livestock 30 Lands and Surveys Division 31 Hydraulics Division Division 32 Hydrometeorological 33 Fisheries Division of Agriculture .
-� .

-Sea Defence of A9ricu1ture Ministry Minist� 505 514 506 507 508 509 · (iii) SCHEDULE DIVISION HEAD NUMBER IN NUMBER IN CAPITAL CURRENT ESTIMATES ESTIMATES NET SUM GRANTED CURRENT CAPITAL all figurn G$'Cn?
5 , ..... , 510 512 516 542 543 503 504 Ministry Ministry of Agriculture of Agriculture -MMA Ill -Artlsanal Fishery HEALTH 34 Ministry 35 Ministry 36 Ministry Ministry of Health of Health -National of Health -Other Health Programmes of Health Hospitals and Cultural Development EDUCATION AND CULTURE of Education Schools 37 Ministry 38 Nursery 39 Primary Schools 40 Secondary/Multilateral and Vocational 41 Technical Instruction Centres 42 Practical 43 Teacher Training Centre 44 Resource 45 Department of Culture of Education of Education Ministry Ministry and Community High Schools Schools Institutions 46,000 15,500 468,763 715,990 307,093 686,000 504,311 83,188 178,903 302,199 86,098 16,360 106,641 47,105 52,994 -Primary Education and Cultural Development Improvement Programme 1,230,000 276,462 LABOUR, HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY 46 Ministry Ministry Ministry of Labour, of Labour, of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Human Services and Social Security Security Human Services and Social -SIMAP FINANCE of Finance 47 Ministry 48 Accountcrit General Department 49 Customs and Excise Department 50 Inland Revenue Department 684,277 1,250,000 33,058 1,360,062 599,336 162,4n 258,633 526 Ministry of Finance 2,245,500 51 Ministry TRADE, TOURISM AND INDUSmY of Trade, Tourism and Industry of Trade, Tourism and Industry Ministry 528 110,487 17,300 PHYSICAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Development 794,402 and Regional -Administration -Agriculture -Education -Health of Public Works, Communications of Local Government
 Department 52 Ministry 53 Ministry 54 Civil Aviation 55 Region No.1 Barima/Walni 56 Region No.1 Barima/Waini 57 Region No.1 Barima/Waini 58 Region No.1 Barima/Waini Pomeroon/Supenaam 59 Region No.2 -Administration 60 Region No.2 Pomeroon/Supenaam -Agriculture -Education 61 Region No.2 Pomeroon/Supenaam -Health 62 Region No.2 Pomeroon/Supenaam 63 Region No.3 Essequibo lslandsNVest 64 Region No.3 Essequibo 65 Region No.3 Esseguibo Oemerara -Administration 63,073 lslands,West Demerara -Agriculture 57,805
 299,072 lslands,West Oemerara .... Educaion 133,155 '229 ,512 59,365 6,898 92,108 33,138 51,800 33,434 221,918 72,810 (iv) SCHEDULE DIVISION HEAD NUMBER IN NUMBER IN CAPITAL CURRENT ESTIMATES ESTIMATES NET SUM GRANTED CURRENT CAPITAL all figure11 G$'000 Mahalca/Berbice -Administration -Agriculture -Education -Health -Administration -Agriculture -Education -Health -Health -Administration -Agriculture -Education -Health 66 Region No.3 Essequibo lslands,West Demerara 67 Region No.4 Demerara/Mahaica 68 Region No.4 Demerara/Mahaica 69 Region No.4 Demerara/Mahaica 70 Region No.4 Demerara/Mahaica 71 Region No.5 Mahaica/Berbice 72 Region No.5 Mahaica/Berbice 73 Region No.5 Mahaica/Berbice 74 Region No.5 75 Region No.6 East Berbice/Corentyne 76 Region No.6 East Berbice/Corentyne n Region No.6 East Berbice/Corentyne 78 Region No.6 East Berbice/Corentyne 79 Region No.7 Cuyuni/Mazaruni 80 Region No.7 Cuyuni/Mazaruni 81 Region No.7 Cuyunl/Mazaruni 82 Region No.7 Cuyunl/Mazaruni 83 Region No.a Potaro/Siparuni -Administration -Agriculture 84 Region No.a Potaro/Siparuni 85 Region No.a Potaro/Siparuni -Education 86 Region No.a Potaro/Siparuni -Health 87 Region No.9 Upper Takatu/Upper 88 Region No.9 Upper Takatu/Upper 89 Region No.9 Upper Takatu/Upper 90 Region No.9 UpperTakatu/Upper 91 Region No.10 Upper Demerara/Berbice 92 Region No.10 Upper Demerwa/Berbice 93 Region No.1 O Upper Demerara/Berbice 94 Region No.10 Upper Demerara/Berbice -Administration -Agriculture -Education
 -Health 8,461 Essequibo -Administration 52,218 Essequibo -Agriculture 9,203 Essequibo -Education Essequibo -Health 67,692 48,576 -Administration 36,006 -Agriculture 10,944 -Education -Health 118,204 90,958 n,130 329,540 49,456 62,198 43,871 130,142 48,555 90,080 75,758 318,971 230,080 84,765 3,403 67,474 49,412 27,023 0 26,221 181,173 33,825 519 .. 520 521 517 518 522 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 and Regional Development and Regional Development & Studies Rehabilitation of Public Works,
 Communications Works, Communications of Public of Public Works -Road Construction, Ministry -Sea Defences Ministry Ministry Guyana Water Authority GUYWA -Water Supply Improvement of Local Government Ministry Region No.1 Barima/Wainl Region No.2 Pomeroon/Supenaam Region No.3 Essequibo lslandsM'est Demerara Region No.4 Demerara/Mahalca Region No.5 Mahaica/Berbice Region No.6 East Berbice/Corentyne Region No.7 Cuyunl/Mazaruni Region No.a Potaro/Siparuni Region No.9 Upper Takatu/Upper Region No.10 Upper Demerwa/Berbice Essequibo 1,963,000 2,825,40 0 1,500,100 171,800 375,000 6,000 20,936 130,500 220,104 71,600 83,500 142,400 39,100 17,100 26,900 111,000 PUBLIC DEBT 95 Public Debt 1,000 GRAND TOTAL$ 15,845,857 15,100,361