Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698076543014.pdf (Guyana)
so- • 110 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 34TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SECOND SESSION (2002-2004) OF THE EIGHTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON MONDAY, 17TH MAY, 2004 IN THE CONVENTION CENTRE, OCEAN VIEW INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, LILIENDAAL, GREATER GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (68) Speaker (1) The Hon.
Hari N. Ramkarran, S.C., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly Members of the Government (37) (i) People's Progressive Party/Civic (341 (ii) Non-elected Ministers (2) (iii) The United Force (1) The Hon.

Samuel A.A. Hinds, M.P., Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Communications The Hon.

Reepu Daman Persaud, O.R., J.P., M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs The Hon.

Clement J. Rohee, M.P., Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation The Hon.
Harripersaud Nokta, M.P., Minister of Local Government and Regional Development The Hon.

Gail Teixeira, M.P., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport The Hon.

Dr. Henry B. Jeffrey, M.P., Minister of Education The Hon.

Saisnarine Kowlessar, M.P., Minister of Finance The Hon.

Shaik K.Z.

Baksh, M.P., Minister of Housing and Water The Hon.

J. Ronald Gajraj, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs (Region No.

3 -Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) The Hon.

Rev.

Dr. Ramnauth D.A.


Bisnauth, M.P., Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security The Hon.

Clinton C. Collymore, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development /...2 • 2.

The Hon.

Satyadeow Sawh, M.P., Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock (Region No.

5 - Mahaica/Berbice) * The Hon.

S. Rudolph Insanally, O.R., C.C.H., M.P., Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Foreign Affairs * The Hon.
Doodnauth Singh, S.C., M.P., Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs The Hon.

Dr. Jennifer R.A. Westford, M.P., Minister of the Public Service (Absent) The Hon.

C. Anthony Xavier, M.P., Minister of Transport and Hydraulics The Hon.

Bibi S. Shadick, M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security (Region No.

3 - Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) ** The Hon.

Manzoor Nadir, M.P., Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce The Hon.
Carolyn Rodrigues, M.P., Minister of Amerindian Affairs (Absent) The Hon.

Dr. Leslie S. Ramsammy, M.P., Minister of Health (Absent) Mr. S. Feroze Mohamed, M.P., Chief Whip Mr. Cyril C.L.

Belgrave, C.C.H., J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Donald R. Ramotar, M.P.

Mr. Husman Alli, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

7 - Cuyuni/Mazaruni) 4- Mr. Komal Chand, C.C.H., J.P., M.P.

(Absent) Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P.

Mr. Bernard C. DeSantos, S.C., M.P.

(Region No.


4 - Demerara/Mahaica) Mrs. Shirley V. Edwards, J.P., M.P.

Mr. Odinga N. Lumumba, M.P.

Mr. Heeralall Mohan, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

2 - Pomeroon/Supenaam) Mr. Ramesh C. Rajkumar, M.P.

(Region No.

6 - East Berbice/Corentyne) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

(Region No.

6 - East Berbice/Corentyne) (Absent) Dr. Bheri S. Ramsaran, M.D., M.P.
(Absent) Mrs. Philomena Sahoye-Shury, C.C.H., J.P., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water Mrs. Pauline R. Sukhai, M.P.

(Region No.

1 - Barima/Waini) Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P.

Mr. Neendkumar, M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) *Non-Elected Minister * *Elected Member from The United Force /...3 • 3.

Members of the Opposition (30) (1) People's National Congress/Reform (27) Mr. Robert H.O.

Corbin, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mr. Winston S. Murray, C.C.H., M.P.
(Absent - on leave) Mrs. Clarissa S. Riehl, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (Absent - on leave) Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P., Chief Whip (Absent - on leave) Mr. Ivor Allen, M.P.

(Region No.

2 - Pomeroon/Supenaam) (Absent - on leave) Mrs. Deborah J.

Backer, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mr. Deryck M.A.

Bernard, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mr. C. Stanley Ming, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mr. Vincent L. Alexander, M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) (Absent - on leave) Mr. Raphael G.C.
Trotman, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mr.

Basil Williams, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Mrs. Volda A. Lawrence, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Dr. Dalgleish Joseph, M.D., M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Miss Amna Ally, M.P.

(Region No.

5 - Mahaica/Berbice) (Absent - on leave) Miss Sandra M. Adams, M.P.

(Region No.

10 - Upper Demerara/Berbice) (Absent - on leave) Mr. Jerome Khan, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Dr. George A. Norton, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Miss Myrna E.N.

Peterkin, M.P.

(Region No.


4 - Demerara/Mahaica) (Absent - on leave) Mr. James K. McAllister, M.P.

(Region No.

3 - Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) (Absent - on leave) Dr. Carl Max Hanoman, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) Miss Lurlene A. Nestor, M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) (Absent - on leave) Mr. Abdul Kadir, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

10 - Upper Demerara/Berbice) (Absent - on leave) Mr. Ricky Khan, M.P.

(Region No.

1 - Barima/Waini) (Absent - on leave) Mrs. Rajcoomarie Bancroft, M.P.
(Region No.

8 - Potaro/Siparuni) (Absent - on leave) Mr. Nasir Ally, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

6 - East Berbice/Corentyne) (Absent - on leave) Miss Judith David, M.P.

(Region No.

7 - Cuyuni/Mazaruni) (Absent - on leave) Miss Genevieve Allen, M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) (Absent - on leave) /...4 • 4.

(ii) Guyana Action Party/Working People's Alliance (2) Mrs. Sheila V.A.

Holder, M.P.

Mrs. Shirley J. Melville, M.P.

(Region No.

9 - Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) (iii) Rise.


Organise and Rebuild Party (1) Mr. Ravindra Dev, M.P.

(Absent - on leave) OFFICERS Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, Clerk of the National Assembly Mrs. Lilawtie Coonjah, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 2.11 p.m. PRAYERS The Clerk read Prayers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER Leave: The Speaker announced that leave had been granted to: 27 Members of the People's National Congress/Reform, and Mr. Ravindra Dev for that day's sitting.

PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS.

ETC.

By the Speaker of the National Assembly: The Report of the Disciplined Forces Commission.

(Circulated) • 4 5.
(Circulated) • 4 5.

STATEMENTS BY MINISTER- CARIFORUM/EC NEGOTIATIONS TOWARDS AN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT The Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, made the following statement: rt Mu-.
Speaker_ Honourable Members of the National Assembly would recall previous statements oin the ACP/EU ine•rrotiations for an Economic Partnership A__ -eemeint with the European Union_ In keeping with the provisions under Economic and Trade Cooperation (Title II, Chapter 2) of the Cotonou Agreement the African_ Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) giroup of countries is engaging the European Union in negotiations aimed at a new WTO compatible trading agreement between the two sides.
This mew acYreement will replace the past metiry five years of non-reciprocal trading relations under four successive Lome Conventions, The mew agre-ement will become effective January 1.. 2(906 and will be the major insrument of economic development through trade and development assistance..

The ACP and the EC commenced negotiations in September 2:)02 and concluded Phase I of the negotiations in September 2003.
Phase 1 is referred to as the -All-ACP' Phase where issues of common interest and concern to the ACP region as a whole, were addressed.

Phase 2 of the negotiations was 'launched in October 2003_ During this phase of the negoitiations the European Union engaged the different regions and countries that were ready to encrage the EU in negotiations_ Subsequently.

a number of ireornal groups in the ACP have already launched negotiations but have thou enamored the European Union in substantial negotiations.
The Caribbe-an re on (CA.RIFORUM) comprising of CARICOM States including Haiti, and the Dominican Republic_ is the fourth region to open n-eornal EPA negotiationswirrh the European Union_ The launch and first substantial meeting_ between the two sides took place on April 116, 2064 in Kingston , Jamaica.. /...6 S 4 The Launch: 6.
The CARIFORUM launch sided the region-s loner standing friendship, political cooperation, shared history and economic cooperation_ Despite the troubled WTO and FTAA nees3tiations the CARIFORUM rezions remains committed to crafting an EPA that incorporates elements for Special and Differential Treaitrnent and one that is appropriate to small developing economies_ The CARIFORU141 EPA will bunldl a framework which will blend the elements of continuity and change (from Lome to Cotonou) in keeping with the provisions of the Cotonou aADreement which are aimed at promotine: the reduction of vulnerability, stastairaable development_ enhanced structural transformation and international competitiveness_ Within the broader political context of the EU/ ACP partnership, ernpli anis will be placed on increasino the production and supply capacity and the support to regional inteationi.
The region will therefore ensure that the EPA would support and be consistent with the integrity of the existing regional integration process the CSME CARIFORUM Negotiation Structure: CARIFORUM EPA negotiation with the European Union will take place at three different levels_ namely:- o rhe Ministerial level.

o The Principal Neg_otiattor.

o The Technical level_ -4( The CARIFORUM region lead Ministerial Spokesperson is the Honourable Senior Minister and Minister of Foreicn Affairs of Barbados.
The lead Ministerial Spokesperson will be supported by three other Ministers from Belize, St Lucia and the Dominican Republic_ The Director General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiatina Machinery (CIRNM) who is the CARIFORUM Principal Negotiator and the College of Negotiators and officials of member stares will provide technical supporrt_ All elements of the negotiating structure are open to the participation to all CARIFORUM Member States.. /...7 • 4 7.
On the EU side the Commissioner of Trade, at Ministerial level and senior officitais of the Directorate General ((DG) Trade will be the principal negotiator_ An the technical leve-1, preparation will be undertaken by the DG Trade_ A Regional Preparatory Task Force (RPTF) wil be established in keeping with the provisions of the Cotonou A.Er-eeniternt.

This body will establish the strategic link between EPA neoottiatioins and development cooperation and firtanrimo The Caribbean is pressrinc, for deN.
&Iowa:lent assistrIce to be a key element in the new arranarerments Members to this body will] include the national and regional authorriiino= officers_ regional secretariats- and universities and institutions, non state actors and members of the ACP Development Finance Corainnittee_ CARIFORUM Negotiating Schedule The CARIFORUNII region and the EU agreed upon die Schedule and Plan for the negotiations.
The nezotiations will be undertaken in four phases:- k The First Phase :(April 2004 to September 2004) During this phase the two sides will establish the priorities of the EPA negotiations and establish an understandimo of the fundamental concerns and interests of EPA negotiations.
The Second Phase: (September 2004 to September 2005) This Phase will allow for convergence on a strategic approach to CAJRIFORUM regional integration_ The aim will be to establish a common understanding oin the priorities for support of Caribbean rebional integration_ and the targets to be attained by the time of the commencement of the implementation on January 1, 2008 and beyond_ The Third Phase (September 2005 to December 2006) The structuritiz and consolidating the negotiations will take place during the period September 20105 to December 2006.
During this period the objective is to consolidate the discussions and channel the points of common understanding into elements of a draift EPA.

 /••••) • 8.

The Fourth Phase- (January 2007 to December 2007) During this period the results should be consolidated and the EPA negotiations wiLifAered.

a.
a.

 The CARIFORUM Region is in the process of prepaa-inIR guidelines for the negotiations_ The guidelines docurcaent is vet to be finalized Member states are in the process of undertaking Impact Assessment Studies on EPA_ GUyalla'S impact Assessment study is underway and the findings of the study should .guide our national positions within the nego_.
dations- In an effort to monitor the pep-0626ms taking place an al& different regional levels,: the ACP has agreed upon a Foldow-up Mechanism_ This Mechanism allows for consultation and coordination on issues prior to negotiation with the EU and receiving reports on the status of the negotiations.

This process will ensure the unity and solidarity of the ACT as a Group.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to assure this Honourable House that the Government of Guyana will exert every effort to ensure that Guyana's vital and Bong term economic, trade and deve negotiations.

rental interests will he pursued in the comse of these We have pin together a competent team to monitor and participate in the negotiations.
The team will draw on the experience and support of a wide range of stakeholiders at the governmental and non-governmental levels_ -8( With yocar permission Mr_ Speaker, this Honorable House will be kept in from time Ito time on the progress and results of the negotiations_ I thank votn..) /...9 • 4 PUBLIC BUSINESS BILL - Second Reading ITEM 1 - DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION BILL 2004 - Bill No, 8/2004 published on 2004- 05-07 The Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, moved the second reading of the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the establishment of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority for ensuring that water resources are located, evaluated, conserved and utilised for the greatest national advantage through appropriate water management strategies and water use planning, to provide that the drainage and irrigation systems are operated in a sustainable manner, to provide for increased fanner participation through water users associations, local government organs, farmer associations or private entities in the planning, development, operation, maintenance and management of the drainage and irrigation services; to define the powers and duties of the Authority, and for the matters related thereto or connected therewith, (Read a first time on 2004-05-13) 4 1- The following Members spoke to the motion: Mrs. Sheila Holder The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mrs. Shirley Melville Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha Thereafter, the Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock replied.
The Bill was read a second time.

/...10 • Assembly resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

10.

In Committee The Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, moved the following amendments: Arrangement of Sections Page 2 Section 13 - For the words "13.

Guidelines for co-operation."

substitute the words ".Guidelines for co-ordination".

Page 4 Section 50 - For the word "litigation" substitute the word "irrigation".
Page 4 Section 55 - where section 53 is wrongly referred to as section 55 - For the words "55" and "of' substitute the words "53" and "to", Sections 13,50 and 53 were passed as amended.

respectively.

Page 5 Third Schedule - Delete the words "Amendment and".

The Third Schedule at page 5 was passed as amended.

Page 32 Clause 37 the marginal note - Insert immediately after the word "assess" the word "compensation".

 • 4 Page 39 11.
• 4 Page 39 11.

Clause 48 - Insert as marginal note the words "Annual report".

Clauses 37 and 47 were passed as amended.

Page 67 Third Schedule - For the words "Act No.

3 of 1985" substitute the words "Act No.

22 of 1997".

The Third Schedule at page 67 was Passed as amended.

Clauses 38 to 47 were Passed as printed.

Clauses 49 to 83 were passed as printed.

The First, Second and Fourth Schedules were passed as printed.

Assembly resumed.
Assembly resumed.

On a motion by the Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock the Drainage and Irrigation Bill 2004 was read a third time and passed as amended.

MOTIONS ITEM 2 - ACQUISITION OF LAND AT MON DESIR POLDER NO.

2 AREA, WEST BANK DEMERARA The Prime Minister, moved the following motion: WHEREAS by the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes (Construction of quarters for employees of the Clay Brick Factory) Order (No.
7 of 1976) the proposed construction of quarters for employees of the Clay Brick Factory was declared to be a public work under section 3 of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, Cap.

62:05; /...12 • 12.

AND WHEREAS the Order authorised entry upon the said land for the purpose of surveying or otherwise examining such land with a view to the acquisition of the whole or part of such land for the construction of a public work; AND WHEREAS by Order No.
7 of 1977, in accordance with section 6, of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act, Cap.

62:05 the said land described in the Schedule was declared required for the public work.

RESOLVED, That this National Assembly hereby agrees to the payment of the sum of $91,000 being the sum estimated to be necessary for the public work for which the land is required.

(Notice Paper No.

111 (M53 Govt49) published on 2004-05-12) The motion was at and carried.
ITEM 3 - RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REGARDING THE SURRENDER OF PERSONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT The Minister of Foreign Affairs, moved the following motion: WHEREAS the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guyana and the Government of the United States of America regarding the Surrender of Persons to the International Criminal Court was signed at Georgetown on December 11, 2003; AND WHEREAS the Agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Republic of Guyana at Georgetown; /...13 13.
AND WHEREAS paragraph 4 of the said Agreement provides that the Agreement shall enter into force upon an exchange of notes confirming that each Party has completed the necessary legal requirements to bring the Agreement into force; NOW THEREFORE the Government of Guyana having considered the Agreement hereby confirms and ratifies the same and undertakes faithfully to perform and carry out all the stipulations therein.
RESOLVED, That this National Assembly agrees to the Government of the United States being informed of Guyana's intention to ratify the said Agreement and for the Government of Guyana to formally ratify the Agreement by Diplomatic Note.

(Notice Paper No.

112 (MM Govt50) published on 2004-05-12) The motion was put and carried.

ADJOURNMENT At 3.30 p.m., on a motion by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the sitting was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

01.1045-.CAAN HON.
01.1045-.CAAN HON.

HARI N. RAMKARRAN, S.C., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Georgetown.

17th May, 2004.