Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698075884501.pdf (Guyana)
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·-· e NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 54rn SITI1NG OF mE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SECOND SESSION (2002-2005) OF THE EIGHTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, srn MARCH.

2005 IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

BRICKDAM.

GEORGETOWN MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (68) Speaker (1) The Hon.

Hari N .
Hari N .

Ramkarran, S.C., M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly Members of the Government (37) (i) People's Proeressive Party/Civic (34) T (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 (Absent) 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 ofHome Affairs (Region No.

3 -Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) (Absent- on Leave) 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 (Absent) The Hon.

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

Dr. Leslie S. Ramsarnmy, M.P ., Minister ofHealth 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) (Absent) Mr. Komal Chand, C.C.H., J.P., M.P.

Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P.

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

(Region No.


4- Demerara!Mahaica) (Absent) 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) Dr. Bheri S. Ramsaran, M.D., M.P.

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) (Absent) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

(Region No.

6- East Berbice/Corentyne) (Absent) *Non-Elected Minister **Elected Member from The United Force /.

.. 3 3.

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

Corbin, M.P.

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

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

(Region No.

2 - Pomeroon/Supenaam) Mrs. Deborah J.

Backer, M.P.

Mr. Deryck M.A.

Bernard, M.P.

Mr. C. StanleyMing, M.P.

Mr. Vincent L. Alexander, M.P.

(Region No.

4 - Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Raphael G.C.

Trotman, M.P.

Mr.

Basil Williams, M.P.

Mrs. Volda A. Lawrence, M.P.

(Absent) Dr. Dalgleish Joseph, M.D., M.P.

Miss Amna Ally, M.P.

(Region No.

5 - Mahaica/Berbice) Miss Sandra M. Adams, M.P.

(Region No.
(Region No.

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

Dr. George A. Norton, M.P.

Miss Myrna E.N.

Peterkin, M.P.

(Region No.4- Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. James K. McAllister, M.P.

(Region No.

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

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) ~- Mr. Ricky Khan, M.P.

(Region No.
(Region No.

I - Barima/Waini) Mrs. Rajcoomarie Bancroft, M.P.

(Region No.

8- Potaro/Siparuni) Mr. Nasir Ally, J.P. , M.P .

(Region No.6- East Berbice/Corentyne) Miss Judith David, M.P.

(Region No.7- Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Miss Genevieve Allen, M.P.

(Region No.

4- Demerara!Mahaica) /.

.. 4 4.

(ii) Guyana Action Party/Workin1 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, Oaanise and Rebuild Party (1) Mr. Ravindra Dev, M.P.

OFFICERS Mrs. Lilawtie Coonjah, Deputy Clerk ofthe National Assembly Mr. Maurice B. Henry, Head Committees Division COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The sitting commenced at 2.

10 p.m. PRAYERS The Deputy Clerk read prayers.


ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER International Women's Day The Speaker extended his warmest greetings and felicitations and those of the National Assembly to the women Members ofParliament on International Women's Day.

He said that he looked forward to the continuing contributions of and into dimensions added by women Members of Parliament to the deliberations of the National Assembly.
He took the opportunity, on behalf of the National Assembly, to wish all women of Guyana and the world best wishes on International Women' s Day and great success in their fight against 1.

.. 5 discrimination and violence.

He expressed special recognition and solidarity to women suffering unspeakable brutalities in conditions of war, poverty and disease, and hoped that the efforts to relieve 5. their conditions would be successful.

QUESTIONS TO MINISTERS For Written Replies 1.


SOLID WASTE TRANSFER AND DISPOSAL IN GUY ANA Mr. Raphael Trotman asked the Prime Minister the following questions: Can the Hon.

Prime Minister say: (i) Whether the Government of Guyana received a written project proposal from M.R.F.

G. for solid waste transfer and disposal in Guyana?

(ii) If a written project proposal was received, when will it be provided to Members of the National Assembly?

(iii) If the Government of Guyana and the M.R.F.G.


signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the disposal of solid waste in Guyana, and if so, when?

(Notice Paper No.

120 (Q57 Opp56) published on 2004-10-26) Written replies submitted by the Bon.

Prime Minister: (i) A written project proposal from M.R.F.G.

Ltd., was submitted to the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).

(ii) It is not considered useful for this document to be tabled in the National Assembly at this early point in time.
We understand that the investors are considering embarking on a feasibility study and an Environment Impact Assessment with the Environmental Protection Agency.

/ ... 6 6.

(iii) The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), on behalf ofthe Government of Guyana signed an initial Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the M.R.F.

G. Project Management Ltd., for the disposal of solid waste in Guyana.
This document indicates that the Government of Guyana is supportive of the establishment of a Material Recovery Facility in Guyana, contingent on M.R.F.G.

Ltd., fulfilling the conditions of the Environmental Protection Agencies of the United States and Guyana.

This Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the 4th December, 2003.

2.
2.

BOOSTING OF THE COAST GUARD'S ABILITY Mr. Raphael Trotman asked the Prime Minister the following question: What plans, if any, are in place to boost the Coast Guard's ability to perform interdiction duties?

(Notice Paper No.

134 (Q71 Opp70) published on 2004-10-26) Written reply submitted by the Bon.

Prime Minister: It is quite common that there is caution in disclosing plans for security forces in detail.
Honourable Member can be assured that the Government of Guyana will continue the programme of appropriate improvements ofthe capability of the Coast Guard within our means.

3.

ACQIDSITION OF PATROL BOATS AND AIRCRAFT FOR THE GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE Mr. Raphael Trotman asked the Prime Minister the following question: What plans are there to acquire patrol boats and aircraft for use by the Guyana Defence Force?

(Notice Paper No.

158 (Q95 Opp94) published on 2004-10-26) /.


.. 7 Written reply submitted by the Bon.

Prime Minister: 7.

It is quite common and quite understandable that there is caution in disclosing plans for defence and security forces in detail.

Honourable Member can be assured however that the Guyana Defence Force has serviceable patrol boats and aircraft and that the Government of Guyana would continue its programme of appropriate improvement of the capability of the Guyana Defence Force within our means.

4.
4.

NATIONAL FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT UNIT Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan asked the Prime Minister the following questions: (i) Is it true that Mr. K. Nascimento c/o of a company PCCL is paid in excess of $237,000.00 per month out of the accounts of the National Frequency Management Unit?

(ii) What services does Mr. K. Nascimento or his company provide to this Unit as consideration for such a monthly sum?

(iii) Is this arrangement in any written agreement?
(iv) How much monies have been so paid to Mr. K. Nascimento and/or PCCL out of National Frequency Management Unit and for what period?

How long will this continue for?

(Notice Paper No.

159 (Q96 Govt2) published on 2004-11-06) Written replies submitted by the Bon.
Prime Minister: Mr. Christopher A. Nascimento, through his company Public Communications Consultants Ltd., was retained by written Contract by the Office of the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, as Public Communications Consultant.
His tasks included advising on public / ... 8 8. communications and public relations matters concerning the telecommunications sector (including the Modernization of Telecommunications Sector Project) and the broadcasting sector, for which services he was paid a monthly sum of$237,500.

by the National Frequency Management Unit.

Mr. Nascimento was first so engaged in September, 2003.
His Contract expired on January 31, 2005 and consideration is being given to its renewal as the Office of the Prime Minister conducts a review of its needs in the area of public communications.

PJIBLIC BUSINESS MOTION BUDGET SPEECH 2005- MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 2005 Assembly resolved itself into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2005.
(Moved by the Minister of Finance on 2005-02-21) In Committee of Supply The following Agencies, Programmes and Divisions in the Estimates of Expenditure were considered and approved by the Committee as presented with the respective amounts allocated thereto- 01- QFFICE Pf TlfE PBESIDENT 011 Head Office Administration 012 r,resiq~nti~ f\d~sory (Cabinet and Other Services) 013 Amerindian Development 014 Public Policy Div.501 Office of the President 1 ... 9 9.
09- PUBLIC AND POLICE SERVICE COMMISSIONS 091 Public and Police Service Commissions Div.

505 - Code 25002 Public Service Commission 10- TEACHING SERVICE COMMISSION 101 Teaching Service Commission Div 505 - Code 25008 Teaching Service Commission 11 - ELECTIONS COMMISSION Ill Elections Commission 112 Elections Administration Div.

505- Code 25010 Guyana Elections Commission 53- GUY ANA DEFENCE FORCE 531 Defence Head Quarters Div.
501 - Code 12001 Guyana Defence Force 57- OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN 571 Ombudsman 58 - PUBLIC SERVICE APPELLATE 581 Public Service Appellate Tribunal Div.

505 - Code 25009 Public Service Appellate Tribunal 02 -OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER 021 Prime Minister's Secretariat / ... 10 31 - MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS 10.

311 Ministry Administration 3 12 Public Works 313 Communications and Transport Div.

517 - Ministry of Public Works and Communications - Air Div.
519- Ministry of Public Works and Communications- Sea Defences Div.

520- Ministry ofPublic Works and Communications Div.

548- Ministry of Public Works and Communications- Bridges/Roads 15- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION 151 Foreign Trade and International Co-operation Div.

550- Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation - 04- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 041 Ministry Administration 042 Foreign Relations 043 Foreign Trade and International Co-operation Div.
506 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deferment of Aaency 07- Parliament Office At the request of the Hon.

Prime Minister consideration of the following Agency was deferred to Wednesday, 9th March, 2005 : 07- PARLIAMENT OFFICE 071 National Assembly Div.

505- Code 25003 Parliament Building Assembly resumed .

/ ... 11 .. .. ~ e 11.

SUSPENSION OF SIITING At 5.05 p.m., the sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 5.40 p.m., the sitting was resumed.
Assembly resolved itself into Committee of Supply.

In Committee of Supply The following Agencies, Programmes and Divisions in the Estimates of Expenditure were considered and approved by the Committee as presented with the respective amounts allocated thereto- 44 -MINISTRY OF CULTURE.YOUm AND SPORT 441 Ministry Administration 442 Culture 443 Youth 444 Sport 445 Youth, Entrepreneurial Skills Training Div.
541 -Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport 41- MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 411 Main Office 412 National Education Policy 413 Ministry Administration 414 Training and Development 415 Education Delivery /.

.. 12 12.

Div.

543 Ministry ofEducation Div.

544 Ministry ofEducation Secondary School Reform Project Div.

54 7 Guyana Education Access Project Div.

553 Basic Education Access and Management Support Programme Assembly resumed.
ADJOURNMENT At 7.20 p.m., on a motion by the Minister ofParliamentary Affairs, the sitting was adjourned to 2.00 p.m., on Wednesday, 9th March, 2005.

- PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Georgetown.

8th March, 2005.

HON.

HARI N. RAMKARRAN, S.C., M.P., Speaker of tbe National Assembly