Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698077029363.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 48TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2020-2022) OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 10.00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, 21ST JULY, 2022 IN THE DOME OF THE ARTHUR CHUNG CONFERENCE CENTRE, LILIENDAAL, GREATER GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (71) Speaker (1) *Hon.

Manzoor Nadir, M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT (38) Peoples Progressive Party Civic (38) Prime Minister (1) Hon.
Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark A. Phillips, M.S.S., M.P., Prime Minister (Virtual-Participation) Vice-President (1) Hon.

Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P., Vice-President (Virtual-Participation) Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs (1) Hon.

Mohabir A. Nandlall, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Senior Ministers (17) Hon.

Gail Teixeira, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip (Virtual Participation) Hon.
Hugh H. Todd, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Virtual Participation) *Hon.

Dr. Ashni K. Singh, M.P., Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Hon.

Bishop Juan A. Edghill, M.S., J.P., M.P., Minister of Public Works (Virtual-Participation) *Non-Elected Member /…2 Hon.

Dr. Frank C. S. Anthony, M.P., Minister of Health 2.

Hon.

Priya D. Manickchand, M.P.

(Region No.


3 – Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Minister of Education *Hon.

Brindley H.R.

Benn, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs Hon.

Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P.

(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne), Minister of Agriculture Hon.

Pauline R.A. Campbell-Sukhai, M.P., Minister of Amerindian Affairs Hon.

Joseph L.F. Hamilton, M.P., Minister of Labour Hon.

Vickram O. Bharrat, M.P., Minister of Natural Resources *Hon.
Oneidge Walrond, M.P., Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Hon.

Nigel D. Dharamlall, M.P.

(Region No.

2 – Pomeroon/Supenaam), Minister of Local Government and Regional Development (Virtual-Participation) Hon.

Collin D. Croal, M.P.

(Region No.

1 – BarimaWaini), Minister of Housing and Water Hon.

Vindhya V. H. Persaud, M.S., M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica), Minister of Human Services and Social Security Hon.

Charles S. Ramson, M.P., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Hon.
Sonia S. Parag, M.P., Minister of the Public Service Junior Ministers (4) Hon.

Susan M. Rodrigues, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica), Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Hon.

Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Hon.

Anand Persaud, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Hon.

Warren K.E.

McCoy, M.P., Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister *Non-Elected Member /…3 Other Members (14) Hon.
Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P.

3.

Hon.

Alister S. Charlie, M.P.

(Region No.

9 – Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) Hon.

Dr. Vishwa D.B.

Mahadeo, M.P.

(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne) Hon.

Sanjeev J. Datadin, M.P.

Hon.

Seepaul Narine, M.P.

Hon.

Yvonne Pearson-Fredericks, M.P.

Hon.

Dr. Bheri S. Ramsaran, M.P.

Hon.

Dr. Jennifer R.A. Westford, M.P.

Hon.

Faizal M. Jaffarally, M.P.

(Region No.

5 – Mahaica/Berbice) Hon.

Dr. Tandika S. Smith, M.P.

(Region No.


3 - Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Hon.

Lee G.H.

Williams, M.P.

*Hon.

Sarah Browne, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (Absent – on leave) *Hon.

Vikash Ramkissoon, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture (Absent- on leave) Hon.

Bhagmattie Veerasammy, M.P.

MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION (32) (i) A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) (31) Hon.
Aubrey Norton M.P., Leader of the Opposition Hon.

Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

Hon.

Roysdale A. Forde, S.C., M.P.

(Absent) Hon.

Shurwayne F.K.

Holder, M.P.

(Region No.

2 – Pomeroon/Supenaam) Hon.

Raphael G.C.

Trotman, M.P.

(Virtual-Participation) Hon.

Geeta Chandan-Edmond, M.P.

Hon.

David A. Patterson, M.P.

Hon.

Volda Lawrence, M.P.

Hon.

Dawn Hastings-Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni) *Non-Elected Member /…4 Hon.

Christopher A. Jones, M.P., Opposition Chief Whip Hon.
Vinceroy H. Jordan, M.P., (Region No.

5 – Mahaica/Berbice) 4.

Hon.

Amanza O.R.

Walton-Desir, M.P.

Hon.

Coretta A. McDonald, A.A., M.P.

Hon.

Catherine A. Hughes, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) (Virtual-Participation) Hon.

Vincent P. Henry, M.P.

Hon.

Dr. Karen Cummings, M.P.

Hon.

Tabitha J. Sarabo-Halley, M.P.

Hon.

Natasha Singh-Lewis, M.P.

Hon.

Annette N. Ferguson, M.P.

Hon.

Juretha V. Fernandes, M.P.

Hon.

Sherod A. Duncan, M.P.

(Suspended) Hon.

Ronald Cox, M.P.

(Region No.


1 – BarimaWaini) Hon.

Jermaine A. Figueira, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Hon.

Ganesh A. Mahipaul, M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Hon.

Haimraj B. Rajkumar, M.P.

Hon.

Nima N. Flue-Bess, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.

Dineshwar N. Jaiprashad, M.P.

(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne) Hon.

Maureen A. Philadelphia, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.

Deonarine Ramsaroop, M.P.


(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.

Richard E. Sinclair, M.P.

(Region No.

8 –Potaro/Siparuni) Hon.

Devin L. Sears, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) A New and United Guyana, Liberty and Justice Party and The New Movement (ANUG, LJP & TNM) (1) Hon.

Lenox R. O’Dell Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly /…5 5.
Officers (2) Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, A.A., Clerk of the National Assembly Ms. Hermina Gilgeours, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 10.23 a.m. PRAYERS The Clerk led in Prayers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER Death of Husband of Mrs. Natasha Singh-Lewis, M.P.

The Speaker, on behalf of the Assembly and himself, expressed sincere condolences to the Hon.

Natasha Singh-Lewis, M.P., on the passing of her husband.
PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS- (1) By the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance: (i) The Value-Added Tax (Amendment of Schedule I) (No.

2) Order 2022 – No.

10 of 2022.

(Circulated) (ii) The Value-Added Tax (Amendment of Schedule I) (No.

3) Order 2022 – No.

23 of 2022.

(Circulated) (iii) Government Notice No.


2 of 2022, regarding Notification Receipts of all petroleum revenues paid into the Natural Resource Fund during the period 1st April, 2022 to 30th June, 2022.

(Circulated) /…6 6.

(iv) Export Finance Facility Agreement (No.

CIE/BC-DL/Guyana/0020014380) dated June 14, 2022 between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the UK Export Finance for an amount of EUR 161,016,949.15.
The purpose of this Agreement is to finance the design and build of, and the delivery of medical equipment to, the Guyana Pediatric and Maternal Hospital.

(Circulated) (v) Deferred Payment Agreement, Lot One (1) to Lot Six (6), dated July 12, 2022 between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd for a total amount of EUR 136,132,800.00.

The purpose of these Deferred Payment Agreements is to finance the Regional Hospitals Project.
(Circulated) (vi) Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

(Circulated) (vii) Financial Paper No.

1/2022 – Supplementary Estimates (Current and Capital) totalling $44,794,011,175 for the period ending 2022-12-31.

(Circulated) The Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance named the next Sitting for consideration of the Financial Paper.

(2) By the Minister of Labour: Labour (National Minimum Wage) Order 2022 – No.

20 of 2022.
20 of 2022.

(Circulated) (3) By the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance: Annual Reports of the Ethnic Relations Commission for the years 2009 to 2017 and 2021.

(Circulated) /…7 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES- 7.

(1) By the Speaker of the National Assembly (Chairperson of the Committee of Selection and the Committee of Privileges): (i) Minutes of Proceedings of the 8th Meeting of the Committee of Selection held on Tuesday, 17th May, 2022.
(Circulated) (ii) Minutes of Proceedings of the 9th Meeting of the Committee of Selection held on Wednesday, 8th June, 2022.

(Circulated) (iii) Minutes of Proceedings of the 10th Meeting of the Committee of Selection held on Tuesday, 14th June, 2022.

(Circulated) (iv) Report of the Parliamentary Sessional Select Committee of Privileges on the Privilege Motion referred to the Committee on 24th January, 2022.
(Circulated) (2) By the Minister of Human Services and Social Security (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services): Eighth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services for the period 28th December, 2020 to 20th May, 2022.

(Circulated) (3) By Mr. Jermaine Figueira, M.P.

(Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee): The Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Public Accounts of Guyana for the year 2016.
(Circulated) /…8 QUESTIONS ON NOTICE- For Written Replies 8.

1.

RULING OF THE IACHR ON THE MATTER OF ISSENERU VILLAGE – REGION 7 Member Asking: Mrs. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Can the Honourable Minister lay over in the National Assembly, a copy of the Report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the matter of the application brought by the Village of Isseneru and Amerindian People’s Association.
(Notice Paper No.

181 (Q132 Opp.132) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER “This matter is still before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and is governed by a confidentially clause.

The IACHR confirmed in a letter to the Government of Guyana dated May 11, 2022, that “the IACHR’s Merits Report is to remain confidential until the IACHR decides to make it public”.
The Minister is therefore not at liberty to accede the request of the Honourable Member to “lay over in the National Assembly, a copy of the report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the matter of the application brought by the Village of Isseneru and Amerindian People’s Association”.

2.

ALLOWANCE FOR EMPLOYMENT COSTS OF PERSONS EMPLOYED AT THE GUYANA CONSULATE IN PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Member Asking: Mrs. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.
Minister Answering: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Can the Honourable Minister advise whether allowance for employment costs were made in Budget 2022 and, if so, under which line item for persons employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Consulate in Port-of- Spain, Trinidad and Tobago?

(Notice Paper No.

186 (Q137 Opp.137) published on 2022-06-07) /…9 ANSWER 9.
“The Ministry in its 2022 Budget made the requisite provision for the payment of employment costs for all members of staff at the Consulate in Trinidad & Tobago.

Line Items used to pay persons employed/engaged on contract are as follows: - 6111 – Administrative 6114 – Clerical and Office Support 6115 – Semi-Skilled Operations and Unskilled 6116 – Contracted Employees 6133 – Benefits and Allowances 6134 – National Insurance “ 3.
PERSONS EMPLOYED AT THE GUYANA CONSULATE IN PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Member Asking: Mrs. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 1.

Can the Honourable Minister provide the designation of each person employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Guyana Consulate in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago since August 2, 2020?

2.
2.

Can the Honourable Minister provide the emoluments (salary and benefits) for each of the persons employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Guyana Consulate in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago since August 2, 2020?

(Notice Paper No.

187 (Q138 Opp.138) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWERS 1.
“Designation of each person employed/ engaged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Guyana Consulate General in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago since August 2, 2020, are: - /…10 – Director of Trade, Investment and Agriculture 10.

– Executive Secretary – Diaspora Officer – Chauffeur 2.

Emoluments (salary and benefits) paid to each person employed/contracted since August 2, 2020, are included in the spreadsheet See Appendix I.” 4.
POSITIONS FILLED AT THE GUYANA CONSULATE IN PORT-OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Member Asking: Mrs. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Can the Honourable Minister advise whether the positions filled at the Guyana Consulate in Port-of-Spain since August 2, 2020, were publicly or internally advertised and if so, provide a copy of the advertisement.

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

188 (Q139 Opp.139) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER -“Internal recruitment process employed for the filling of some vacancies.

-Additionally, applicants seeking to fill available posts at the Consulate General are interviewed and shortlisted before approval is sought from Headquarters.” 5.

GUYANA CONSULATE IN NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Member Asking: Mrs. Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 1.
Can the Honourable Minister provide the designation of each person employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Guyana Consulate in New York, United States of America, since August 2, 2020?

/…11 11.

2.

Can the Honourable Minister provide the emoluments (salary and benefits) for each of the persons employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Guyana Consulate in New York, United Sates of America, since August 2, 2020?

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

189 (Q140 Opp.140) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWERS 1.

“Designation of persons employed/engaged on contract by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Guyana Consulate in New York since August 2, 2020, are: - -Executive Officer III -Advisor on Diaspora, Trade, and Investment -Driver 2.
Emoluments (salary and benefits paid to each person employed/engaged on contract Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation at the Guyana Consulate in New York since August 2, 2020, are included in the spreadsheet See Appendix II.” 6.

WORK PERMITS REQUESTED Member Asking: Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Home Affairs Can the Minister please state how many work permits have been requested between August 2020 to March 2022?

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

183 (Q134 Opp.134) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER “The number of Work Permits requested for the period August 2020 to May 2022 is Nine Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy (9270)”.

/…12 12.

7.

WORK PERMITS GRANTED Member Asking: Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Home Affairs Can the Minister please state how many work permits were granted between August 2020 to March 2022?

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

184 (Q135 Opp.135) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER “The number of Work Permits granted for the period August 2020 to May 2022 is Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven (4847)”.

8.

NATIONALITIES OF THE NON-NATIONALS THAT WERE GRANTED WORK PERMITS Member Asking: Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P.
Minister Answering: The Minister of Home Affairs Can the Minister state the Nationalities of the non-nationals who were granted work permits, their particular skill set and the number of years each work permit was granted for between August 2020 to March 2022?

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

185 (Q136 Opp.136) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER “The Nationalities of the Non-Nationals who were granted work permits of the period of August 2020 to March 2022 are: American Barbadian Bangladeshi Brazilian British Belgium Canadian Chile Finnish Filipino German Haitian Hellenic Indian Indonesian Italian Turkish Malaysian Jordanian Japanese Nepalese Portuguese Pakistani Saint Lucian /…13 Chinese Colombian Cuban Czech Republic Dominican Dutch Ecuadorian Estonian Ethiopian France 13.
Jamaican Liberian Mexican Nigerian Netherlands Peru Russian Romanian Surinamese Trinidadian Singaporean South African United Nations Venezuelan Vietnamese Vincentian Zambian Zimbabwean Syrian Senegalese On request businesses will be granted two (2) years extension of stay/work Permit.
The Skill Sets for those Non-Nationals are as follows: Teachers Doctors Engineering Contractor Pilot Nurse Field Technician Materials Engineer Foreman Crane Supervisor Glazier Security Guards Electrician Iron Maker Safety Director Site Manager /…14 14.

Chef Construction Engineer Heavy Equipment Operator Building Inspector Surveyor Pipe Fitter Gardener Boiler ” 9.

COMPANIES REQUESTED AND WERE ELIGIBLE TO REQUEST WORK PERMITS Member Asking: Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P.
Minister Answering: The Minister of Home Affairs Can the Minister indicate the names of the Companies that have requested and were eligible to request work permits between August 2020 to March 2022?

(Notice Paper No.

192 (Q143 Opp.143) published on 2022-06-07) ANSWER “There are Five Hundred and Sixty-Six (566) Companies that has requested and were eligible for work permits during the period of August 2020 to March 2022.
Of that amount Sixty-five (65) are Stores, Fifty-two (52) are Supermarkets, Thirty-Two (32) are Restaurants, Seven (7) are Security Firms, Six (6) are Universities/Schools, Nine (9) are Construction Companies, Seven (7) are Embassies, Three (3) Engineering Companies, Seventeen (17) are Hospitals/Pharmacies, Nine (9) are Churches and Twenty-Nine (29) are Companies involved in Trading”.

/…15 For Oral Replies 15.

10.

*RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH RUIMVELDT SECONDARY SCHOOL Hon.
Natasha Singh-Lewis, M.P., asked the Minister of Education the following questions: *“On the 19th June, 2021, the nation witnessed the destruction of the North Ruimveldt Secondary School by fire.

It was reported through an address to the media – Kaieteur News 20th June, 2021 by the Minister of Education that the school will be repaired.

Further, the Minister of Finance in his Budget Speech 2022, page 52, paragraph 4.134, stated that the said school is listed for reconstruction in 2022”.

1.
1.

*Can the Minister indicate when would the reconstruction of the North Ruimveldt Secondary School commence?

2.

*Can the Minister indicate what efforts are being made to replace the smart classroom, the school’s information technology room, the school’s library, the technical drawing and architecture room all of which were destroyed by the fire?

(Notice Paper No.

180 (Q131 Opp.131) published on 2022-06-07) Thereafter, the Minister of Education replied.

11.

*ENMORE PACKAGING PLANT Hon.


Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P., asked the Minister of Agriculture the following questions: 1.

*Can the Minister state how much money has been utilized from successive budgets between 2020-2022 to restart the Enmore Packaging Plant and on what was the monies spent?

/…16 16.

2.

*Can the Minister state how much money has been budgeted this year to aid in the transfer of the Packaging Plant?

Further, can the Minister state the new location of the Plant?

3.
3.

*Can the Minister state what is the projected cost to complete the Packaging Plant at the new location?

(Notice Paper No.

182 (Q133 Opp.133) published on 2022-06-07) Thereafter, the Minister of Agriculture replied.

Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P., asked the Minister of Agriculture supplementary questions.

Thereafter, the Minister of Agriculture replied.


REQUESTS FOR LEAVE TO MOVE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY ON DEFINITE MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE- Investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving Hon.

Bharrat Jadgeo, M.P., Vice- President by Vice News Media At 10.44 a.m., a request by Mr. Aubrey Norton, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, to seek leave to move the Adjournment of the Assembly on Definite Matters of Urgent Public Importance re.
Investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving Hon.

Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P., Vice-President by Vice News Media was disallowed by the Speaker.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS- Presentation and First Readings 1.

SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL 2022 – No.

11/2022 The Minister of Health, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: /…17 17.
A BILL intituled AN ACT to make provision for the prevention of suicide, for the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Commission, the functions of which shall include the preparation of a National Suicide Prevention Plan consisting of policies and measures to be implemented for the prevention of suicide, for the provision of Suicide Prevention Centres to provide support services including counselling services to suicide survivors and persons contemplating suicide, and for related matters.

2.
2.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2022 – No.

12/2022 The Minister of Health, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Medical Practitioners Act.

3.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BILL – Bill No.


13/2022 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the use of restorative justice in the criminal justice system for victims, offenders and the community, the establishment of the Advisory Council on Restorative Justice and for related matters.

4.

BAIL BILL 2022 – Bill NO.


14/2022 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the grant and refusal of bail in criminal proceedings and for related matters.

/…18 18.

5.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM (AMENDMENT) BILL 2022 – No.
15/2022 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

6.

FISCAL ENACTMENTS (AMENDMENT) (NO.

2) BILL 2022 – Bill No.


16/2022 The Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Tax Act, the Income Tax Act and the Value-Added Tax Act.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (i) PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS MOTIONS ITEM 1 - PAYMENT OF FIRST SALARY TO PUBLIC SERVANTS IN ONE (1) MONTH Hon.

Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, M.P.


moved the following motion: WHEREAS there have been consistent reports from new public servants that they were informed they must wait three months before they received their first salary.

/…19 19.

BE IT RESOLVED: That the National Assembly advises the Government of Guyana to ensure that public servants receive their first paycheck no more than one (1) month after the commencement of their employment in the public sector.

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

169 (M37 Opp 6) published on 2022-02-28) The following Members spoke to the motion: Hon.

Jermaine Figueira, M.P.

Hon.

Sonia Parag, M.P., Minister of the Public Service Hon.

Nima Flue-Bess, M.P.

SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 12.18 p.m. the Sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 1.47 p.m. the Sitting was resumed.

Assembly resumed the debate on the motion.

The following Members also spoke to the motion: Hon.

Dr. Karen Cummings, M.P.

Hon.


Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Minister of Agriculture Hon.

Annette Ferguson, M.P.

Hon.

Dawn Hastings-Williams, M.P.

/…20 20.

Presiding by Hon.

Lenox Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly At 3.03 p.m., while Hon.

Dawn Hastings-Williams, M.P., was speaking to the motion the Speaker withdrew from the Chamber and Hon.

Lenox Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, took the Chair.

Hon.

Dawn Hastings, M.P., continued and concluded her speech.
The following Members also spoke to the motion: Hon.

Joseph Hamilton, M.P., Minister of Labour Hon.

Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Hon.

Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Speaker’s Return to the Chamber At 4.32 p.m. while the Hon.

Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Works was speaking to the motion the Speaker returned to the Chamber.

Hon.

Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Works continued and concluded his speech.

Hon.
Hon.

Juretha Fernandes, M.P.

also spoke to the motion.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO.

10(1) At 5.18 p.m., the Minister of Education moved that Standing Order No.

10(1) be suspended to enable the Assembly to continue beyond 8:00 p.m., to conclude its business.

SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 5.19 p.m. the Sitting was suspended for refreshments.

/…21 21.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 6.22 p.m. the Sitting was resumed.

Assembly resumed the debate on the motion.


The following Members also spoke to the motion: Hon.

Mohabir Nandlall, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Hon.

Aubrey Norton, M.P., Leader of the Opposition Thereafter, Hon.

Tabitha Sarabo-Halley replied.

In accordance with Standing Order 39(2), the Hon.

Dr. Ashni Singh, M.P., Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance concluded the debate.
The Minister of the Public Service moved the following amendments which were put and carried: “BE IT RESLOVED CLAUSE Delete word “advises” in first line and substitute with word “encourage”.

Delete phrase “no more than one (1) month after the commencement of employment in the public sector” and replace with the words “within a reasonable time on receipt of a letter of appointment or signed contract”.” /…22 22.
The motion, as amended, was put and carried on the following division: AGAINST Mr. Sears Mr. Sinclair Mr. Ramsaroop Ms. Philadelphia Mr. Jaiprashad Mrs. Flue-Bess Mr. Mahipaul Mr. Figueira Mr. Cox Ms. Fernandes Ms. Ferguson Mrs. Singh-Lewis Mrs. Sarabo-Halley Dr. Cummings Mr. Henry Mrs. Hughes Ms. Mc Donald Mrs. Walton-Desir Mr. Jordan Mr. Jones Mrs. Hastings-Williams Mrs. Lawrence Mrs. Chandan-Edmond Mr. Holder FOR Mr. Shuman Ms. Veerasammy Mr. Williams Dr. Smith Mr. Jaffarally Dr. Westford Dr. Ramsaran Mrs. Pearson-Federicks Mr. Narine Mr. Datadin Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Charlie Mr. Seeraj Mr. McCoy Mr. A. Persaud Mr. Indar Ms. Rodrigues Ms. Parag Mr. Ramson Dr. V. Persaud Mr. Croal Mr. Dharamlall Mr. Bharrat Mr. Hamilton /…23 Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Norton 23.
Ms. Sukhai Mr. Mustapha Ms. Manichchand Dr. Anthony Bishop Edghill Mr. Todd Ms. Teixeira Mr. Nandlall Mr. Phillips _____________ _____________ 28 _____________ _____________ 33 ITEM 2 - LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OIL SPILLS IN GUYANA Mr. David Patterson, M.P., moved the following motion: WHEREAS Oil production offshore Guyana is expected to increase rapidly from its current rate of 120,000 barrels per day (bopd) to close to 1 million bopd, with the number of FPSOs increasing over 10 times by 2026; AND WHEREAS the emergency response and cleanup of the British Petroleum Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has so far cost more than $70 Billion USD; AND WHEREAS a major oil spill offshore Guyana would result in the environmental devastation of Guyana and its neighbouring countries, obliterating the areas fishing industry, aquatic vegetation, including possible lawsuits from neighbouring countries; /…24 24.
AND WHEREAS the Liza 1 Permit signed by the current EPA Head and issued in June 2017, designates as Permit Holder – Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) of parent companies, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC; AND WHEREAS following the change in EPA’s Leadership, Liza 2 permit included provisions for unlimited liability for all spills by including a provision requiring EEPGL’s purchase of the maximum available private insurance offered in the market, with all of the remaining liabilities to be covered by EEPGL’s parent companies – Exxon, Hess and CNOOC; AND WHEREAS EEPGL agreed to the unlimited liability coverage commitment in the Liza 2 Permit and urgent purchase of the maximum available private insurance prior to signing the Permit; AND WHEREAS EEPGL timely obtained the maximum $2.5 Billion private insurance available on the market prior to EPA signing and issuing the Liza 2 Permit in April, 2019, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Government recants its decision to cancel the process already established in 2017 for obtaining unlimited liability coverage by EEPGL’s parent companies – a process that was agreed upon by Exxon and made a condition of the Liza 2 Permit, and was close to being finalised when the current administration took office in 2020; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Government returns to the already well-established process put in place by the previous administration which made a condition of the Liza 2 Permit for guaranteed coverage by EEPGL’s parent companies, agreed upon by EEPGL, and was nearing completion when the current administration took office; /…25 25.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this Parliament calls on the Government of Guyana, to include full unlimited liability coverage for oil spills and other disasters related to petroleum production as a condition for granting approval for the proposed Yellowtail development and all other future petroleum development; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Government of Guyana, conducts an independent analysis on the possible ill effects of an oil spill, and present this report to the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources to be used as a reference for all other future oil development submissions; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That, if necessary, the Opposition stands ready, able and willing to assist the Government in getting back on track the expeditious acquisition of unlimited liability coverage for an oil spill.
(Notice Paper No.

179 (M47 Opp 9) published on 2022-06-01) The following Members spoke to the motion: Hon.

Vickram Bharrat, M.P., Minister of Natural Resources Hon.

Annette Ferguson, M.P.

Presiding by Hon.

Lenox Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly At 9.27 p.m., while Hon.

Annette Ferguson, M.P., was speaking to the motion the Speaker withdrew from the Chamber and the Hon.

Lenox Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly took the Chair.

Hon.
Hon.

Annette Ferguson, M.P., continued and concluded her speech.

/…26 26.

The following Members also spoke to the motion: Hon.

Sanjeev Datadin, M.P.

Hon.

Vincent Henry, M.P.

Hon.

Brindley Benn, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs Return of the Speaker to the Chair At 10.52p.m., the Speaker returned to the Chamber.

Hon.

Brindley Benn, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs continued and concluded his speech.

The following Members also spoke to the motion: Hon.

Amanza Walton-Desir, M.P.

Hon.


Deodat Indar, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Thereafter, Hon.

David Patterson, M.P., replied.

The motion was then put and negatived.

(ii) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS BILLS – Second Readings ITEM 3 - INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL 2022 – Bill No.

10/2022 published on 2022-05-17 At the request of the Minister of Agriculture the second reading of the following Bill was deferred: /…27 27.
A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the cultivating and manufacturing of industrial hemp and hemp related products; to provide for the conducting of research on industrial hemp or any other activity concerning or related to industrial hemp; to establish the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority; and other related matters.

(Read a first time on 2022-05-17) ITEM 4 - MENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION AND PROMOTION BILL 2022 – Bill No.
7/2022 published on 2022-04-08 At the request of the Minister of Health the second reading of the following Bill was deferred: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide mental health care and treatment for persons with mental illness and to protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of those persons during the delivery of mental health care; to provide for the establishment of the Mental Health Board; to repeal the Mental Hospital Ordinance and for related matters.
(Read a first time on 2022-04-13) (iii)COMMITTEES BUSINESS MOTION ITEM 5 - ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES WITHDRAWAL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE A PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE At 12.22 a.m., the Members of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change withdrew from the Chamber.
/…28 The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip (Member of the Committee of Privileges) moved the following motion: 28.

BE IT RESOLVED: That the Report of the Parliamentary Sessional Select Committee of Privileges, be adopted.

(Notice Paper No.

195 (M50 Committees 14) published on 2022-07-12) The following Members spoke to the motion: Hon.

Lenox Shuman, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon.
Mohabir A. Nandlall, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Thereafter, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip replied.

The motion was put and carried.

ADJOURNMENT At 1.00 a.m., on a motion by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip, the Sitting was adjourned to 10.00 a.m., on Monday, 8th August, 2022.

…………………………………………………….. HON.


MANZOOR NADIR, M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

21st July, 2022.