Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698073662343.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 9TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2020) OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 10.00 A.M. ON TUESDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2020 IN THE DOME OF THE ARTHUR CHUNG CONFERENCE CENTRE, LILIENDAAL, GREATER GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (70) Speaker (1) *Hon.

Manzoor Nadir, M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT (37) Peoples Progressive Party Civic (37) Prime Minister (1) Hon.
Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark A. Phillips, M.S.S., M.P., Prime Minister Vice-President (1) Hon.

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

Mohabir A. Nandlall, M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Senior Ministers (16) Hon.

Gail Teixeira, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip Hon.

Hugh H. Todd, M.P.

(Region No.


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

Bishop Juan A. Edghill, M.S., J.P., M.P., Minister of Public Works Hon.

Dr. Frank C. S. Anthony, M.P., Minister of Health *Non-Elected Member /…2 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 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.

Warren K.E.

McCoy, M.P., Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister 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.

Susan M. Rodrigues, M.P.

(Region No.

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

Vikash Ramkissoon, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Hon.
Bhagmattie Veerasammy, M.P.

MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION (32) (i) A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) (31) Hon.

Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Joseph F. Harmon, M.S.M., M.P., Leader of the Opposition (Absent) Hon.

Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

Hon.

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

Hon.

Raphael G.C.

Trotman, M.P.

Hon.

Dawn Hastings-Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Hon.

Dr. Nicolette O. Henry, M.P.

Hon.

Dr. Karen R.V.

Cummings, M.P.

Hon.

Tabitha J. Sarabo-Halley, M.P.


Hon.

Geeta Chandan-Edmond, M.P.

Hon.

Christopher A. Jones, M.P., Opposition Chief Whip Hon.

Annette N. Ferguson, M.P.

*Non-Elected Member /…4 4.

Hon.

David A. Patterson, M.P.

Hon.

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

Hon.

Catherine A. Hughes, M.P.

(Region No.

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

Haimraj B. Rajkumar, M.P.

Hon.

Amanza O.R.

Walton-Desir, M.P.

Hon.

Natasha Singh-Lewis, M.P.

Hon.

Sherod A. Duncan, M.P.

Hon.


Juretha V. Fernandes, M.P.

Hon.

Vincent P. Henry, M.P.

Hon.

Ronald Cox, M.P.

(Region No.

1 – BarimaWaini) Hon.

Shurwayne F.K.

Holder, M.P.

(Region No.

2 – Pomeroon/Supenaam) Hon.

Ganesh A. Mahipaul, M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Hon.

Nima N. Flue-Bess, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.

Maureen A. Philadelphia, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.

Deonarine Ramsaroop, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Hon.


Vinceroy H. Jordan, M.P., (Region No.

5 – Mahaica/Berbice) Hon.

Dineshwar N. Jaiprashad, M.P.

(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne) Hon.

Richard E. Sinclair, M.P.

(Region No.

8 –Potaro/Siparuni) Hon.

Jermaine A. Figueira, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) 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 Officers (2) Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, A.A., Clerk of the National Assembly Ms. Deslyn West, Assistant Clerk of the National Assembly /…5 5.

COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 10.19 a.m. PRAYERS The Clerk led in Prayers.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS- (1) By the Minister of Public Works: (i) The Customs (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2020 – No.75 of 2020.
(Circulated) (ii) The Customs (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order 2020 – No.

76 of 2020.

(Circulated) (iii)The Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) (Amendment) Order 2020 – No.

77 of 2020.

(Circulated) (iv) The Value-Added Tax (Amendment of Schedules I and II) Order 2020 – No.78 of 2020.

(Circulated) (v) The Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2020 – No.

2 of 2020.
2 of 2020.

(Circulated) (2) By the Minister of Home Affairs: The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment of First Schedule) Regulations 2020 – No.

3 of 2020.

(Circulated) /…6 6.

ORAL QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 1.

Disturbance at the Lusignan Prison on the 19th September, 2020.

Hon.

Geeta Chandan-Edmond, M.P., asked the Minister of Home Affairs the following questions: (1) Can the Hon.
Minister of Home Affairs state what were the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbance on the 19th of September, 2020, that resulted in the deaths of Prisoners at the Lusignan Prisons?

(2) The number of prisoners killed, injured and/ or hospitalised, the nature and extent of their injuries and cause of death(s)?
(3) Several prisoners were tested for COVID-19, what measures are in the place for the World Health Organisation/ PAHO guidelines, requirements and procedures for social distancing etc.

to be observed at the said Prisons?

Thereafter, the Minister of Home Affairs replied.

Hon.

Dr. Nicolette Henry, M.P., asked the Minister of Home Affairs a supplementary question.

Thereafter, the Minister of Home Affairs replied.

Hon.
Hon.

Gail Teixeira, M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Government Chief Whip, asked the Minister of Home Affairs a supplementary question.

Thereafter, the Minister of Home Affairs replied.

/…7 7.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS- Presentation and First Readings 1.

AUCTIONEERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

2/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Auctioneers Act.

2.
2.

CORPORATION TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

3/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Corporation Tax Act.

3.

HUCKSTERS LICENSING AND CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

4/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Hucksters Licensing and Control Act.
4.

INCOME TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

5/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Income Tax Act.

/…8 8.

5.

INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

6/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act.

6.
6.

MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

7/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Miscellaneous Licenses Act.

7.

TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

8/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL inituled AN ACT to amend the Tax Act.

8.
8.

VALUE-ADDED TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill No.

9/2020 The Minister of Public Works, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Value-Added Tax Act.

/…9 9.

9.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 – Bill NO.
10/2020 The Minister of Home Affairs, on behalf of the Government, presented the following Bill, which was read the first time: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (i) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MOTION BUDGET SPEECH 2020 – MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 2020 The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2020.
(Moved by the Minister with responsibility for Finance on 2020-09-09) In Committee of Supply The following Agencies and Programmes in the Estimates of Expenditure were considered and approved by the Committee as presented with the respective amounts allocated thereto: 06 – MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND GOVERNANCE Current Expenditure 061 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 061 Policy Development and Administration /…10 10.
Current Expenditure 062 Parliamentary Affairs Capital Expenditure 062 Parliamentary Affairs Current Expenditure 063 Governance Capital Expenditure 063 Governance 17 – MINISTRY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S AFFAIRS Current Expenditure 171 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 171 Policy Development and Administration Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 12.12 p.m., the Sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 1.14 p.m., the Sitting was resumed.

/…11 11.
In Committee of Supply The following Agencies and Programmes in the Estimates of Expenditure were considered and approved by the Committee as presented with the respective amounts allocated thereto: 16 – MINISTRY OF AMERINDIAN AFFAIRS Current Expenditure 161 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 161 Policy Development and Administration Current Expenditure 162 Community Development and Empowerment Capital Expenditure Agency Code 162 Community Development and Empowerment was put and carried on the following division: AGAINST Mr. Sears FOR DECLINED TO VOTE Mr. Shuman Mr. Patterson Mr. Figueira Ms. Veerasammy Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Sinclair Mr. Williams Mr. Jaiprashad Dr. Smith Mr. Jordan Mr. Jaffarally Mr. Ramsaroop Dr. Westford Ms. Philadelphia Dr. Ramsaran Mrs. Flue-Bess Mrs. Pearson-Fredericks /…12 Mr. Mahipaul Mr. Holder Mr. Cox Mr. Henry 12.
Mr. Narine Mr. Datadin Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Charlie Ms. Fernandes Mr. Seeraj Mr. Duncan Ms. Rodrigues Mrs. Singh-Lewis Mr. A. Persaud Mrs. Walton Desir Mr. Indar Mr. Rajkumar Mr. McCoy Ms. Mc Donald Ms. Parag Ms. Ferguson Mr. Ramson Mrs. Chandan-Edmond Dr. V. Persaud Mrs. Sarabo-Halley Mr. Croal Dr. Cummings Mr. Dharamlall Dr. Henry Mr. Bharrat Mrs. Hastings-Williams Mr. Hamilton Mr. Trotman Mr. Mustapha Dr. Anthony Bishop Edghill Mr. Todd Ms. Teixeira Mr. Nandlall Mr. Jagdeo Mr. Phillips _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ 25 33 2 ____________________ _____________________ _____________________ /…13 13.
21 – MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE Current Expenditure 211 Ministry Administration Capital Expenditure 211 Ministry Administration Current Expenditure 212 Agriculture Development and Support Services Capital Expenditure 212 Agriculture Development and Support Services Current Expenditure 213 Fisheries Capital Expenditure 213 Fisheries Current Expenditure 214 Hydrometeorological Services Capital Expenditure 214 Hydrometeorological Services Assembly resumed /…14 14.
SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 4.02 p.m., the Sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 5.05 p.m., the Sitting was resumed.
In Committee of Supply The following Agencies and Programmes in the Estimates of Expenditure were considered and approved by the Committee as presented with the respective amounts allocated thereto: 25 - MINISTRY OF BUSINESS Current Expenditure 251 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 251 Policy Development and Administration Current Expenditure 252 Business Development, Support and Promotion Capital Expenditure 252 Business Development, Support and Promotion Current Expenditure 253 Consumer Protection Capital Expenditure 253 Consumer Protection /…15 15.
Current Expenditure 254 Tourism Development and Promotion Capital Expenditure 254 Tourism Development and Promotion 23 – MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE Current Expenditure 231 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 231 Policy Development and Administration Current Expenditure 232 Business Development, Support and Promotion Capital Expenditure 232 Business Development, Support and Promotion Current Expenditure 233 Consumer Protection Capital Expenditure 233 Consumer Protection Current Expenditure 234 Tourism Development and Promotion Capital Expenditure 234 Tourism Development and Promotion /…16 16.
26 – MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Current Expenditure 261 Policy Development and Administration Capital Expenditure 261 Policy Development and Administration Current Expenditure 262 Natural Resource Management Capital Expenditure 262 Natural Resource Management Current Expenditure 264 Petroleum Management Presiding by Hon.

Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P.

At 7:12 p.m. the Speaker withdrew from the Chamber and Hon.

Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., took the Chair.


Speaker’s Return to the Chamber At 7:18 p.m. the Speaker returned to the Chamber.

Capital Expenditure 264 Petroleum Management Assembly resumed /…17 17.

ADJOURNMENT At 7.48 p.m., on a motion by the Prime Minister, the Assembly was adjourned to 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 23rd September, 2020.

…………………………………………………….. HON.

MANZOOR NADIR, M.P., Hon.

Speaker of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

22nd September, 2020.