Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698070116819.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ORDER PAPER FOR THE 69TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2012 - 2014) OF THE TENTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA TO BE HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON MONDAY, 10TH FEBRUARY, 2014 IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BRICKDAM, GEORGETOWN ---------------------------------------- BUSINESS FOR SITTING PRAYERS OATH OF A NEW MEMBER- MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT- ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER- PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS- PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS- REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES- ORAL QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE /…2 QUESTIONS ON NOTICE- For Written Replies 2.
1.

GOVERNMENT’S E-GOVERNANCE PROJECT Member Asking: Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Joseph Harmon, M.S.M., M.P.

Minister Answering: The Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Whereas the Government’s E-Governance Project has suffered from extensive delays and there is to be modification to the design of the project.

Could the Hon.

Prime Minister state – (i) What are the costs overruns related to this project?
(ii) (a) Provide the resume of Mr. Alexi Ramotar as it relates to his prior experience with Fiber Optic Cable installations, designing and managing a project of this complex nature?

(b) What salary and allowances Mr. Alexi Ramotar, the person running this project, is paid on a monthly basis?

(Notice Paper No.

275 (Q 181 Opp.

179) published on 2014-01-09) 2.

COMMISSIONER OF INFORMATION Member Asking: Mrs. Catherine Hughes, M.P.
Minister Answering: The Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (i) Can the Hon.

Prime Minister advise this House, if the Commissioner of Information, in accordance with the Access to Information Act – No.

21 of 2011, has published the information as stated under Clause 8 of the Act?

/...3 3.

(ii) If no publication has been made, can the Hon.

Prime Minister provide reasons therefore and timeframe when the publications will be made?

(iii) Can the Hon.
(iii) Can the Hon.

Prime Minister state the amount of staff employed under this unit?

(iv) Can the Hon.

Prime Minister share with this House, the amounts paid in salary and allowances to the Commissioner of Information?

(v) Can the Hon.

Prime Minister say how many applications for information were received by the Commissioner of Information to date and how many were processed?

(Notice Paper No.

279 (Q 183 Opp.

181) published on 2014-01-20) 3.


BREATHALYZER KITS Member Asking: Mrs. Catherine Hughes, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Home Affairs (i) Can the Hon.

Minister state if all the Policing Divisions are provided with fully functioning breathalyzer kits?

(ii) Can the Hon.

Minister state how many persons were tested during the last quarter of 2013 and how many charges laid for persons failing such tests?

(iii) Can the Hon.
(iii) Can the Hon.

Minister state the number of successful prosecutions achieved during 2013 against persons failing breathalyzer tests?

(Notice Paper No.

280 (Q 184 Opp.

182) published on 2014-01-20) /…4 4.

For Oral Reply 4.

ANTI-DOPING COMMITTEE Member Asking: Mr. Christopher Jones, M.P.

Minister Answering: The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport *(i) Could the Hon.

Minister inform this House whether Guyana has an Anti-Doping Committee?

*(ii) If yes, who are the Members of this Committee?
*(iii) (a) How were the Members selected/elected?

(b) What criteria were used for selection?

(c) When were they selected?

*(iv) How many reports have the Committee submitted?

*(v) Could the Minister state whether this Committee conducted any tests on local athletes leading into regional or international competition?

(Notice Paper No.

276 (Q 182 Opp.


180) published on 2014-01-13) STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS, INCLUDING POLICY STATEMENTS- PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS- REQUESTS FOR LEAVE TO MOVE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY ON DEFINITE MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE- /…5 MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND 5.

MOVED BY A MINISTER- INTRODUCTION OF BILLS Presentation and First Readings 1.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 – Bill No.
4/2014 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

2.

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (FREE ENTRY OF SKILLED NATIONALS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 – Bill No.

5/2014 The Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill: A Bill intituled AN ACT to amend the Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act.
PUBLIC BUSINESS (i) GOVERNMENT’S BUSINESS BILLS – Second Readings 1.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES (ELECTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 – Bill No.

3/2014 published on 2014-01-16 The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development to move the second reading of the following Bill: /…6 6.

A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Local Authorities (Elections) Act to provide for the postponement of elections of councilors of local democratic organs.

(Read a first time on 2014-01-16) 2.


WILDLIFE IMPORT AND EXPORT BILL 2013 –Bill No.

20/2013 published on 2013-11-27 The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment to move the second reading of the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to regulate international trade of Guyana’s wildlife and to enable Guyana to fulfill its obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Washington, 1973.

(Read a first time on 2013-12-12) 3.


RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS BILL 2014 – Bill No.

1/2014 published on 2014-01-16 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to move the second reading of the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the recording of Court Proceedings and for matters incidental thereto.

(Read a first time on 2014-01-16) /…7 7.

4.

GUYANA CRICKET ADMINISTRATION BILL 2012 – Bill No.


31/2012 published on 2012-12-20 The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to move the second reading of the following Bill, which was referred to a Special Select Committee: A BILL intituled AN ACT to make provisions for the incorporation of autonomous national cricket administrative organizations in Guyana and to provide for other matters connected therewith.
(Read a first time and committed to the Special Select Committee on 2012-12-20) Please note that the abovementioned Report was laid in the National Assembly on 7th August, 2013.

MOTIONS *5.
SYMPATHY ON THE DEATH OF MR. DOODNAUTH SINGH, S.C. FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF LEGAL AFFAIRS The Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to move the following motion: BE IT RESOLVED: That we the Members of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana – place on record our profound grief at the great loss to the Parliament of Guyana by the death of Mr. Doodnauth Singh, S.C., Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs on 21st August, 2013, after a prolonged illness; pay tribute to the committed and distinguished service which he rendered to Guyana and to its Parliament; and /…8 *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting   8.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the National Assembly directs that an expression of our heartfelt sympathy be conveyed to his sorrowing widow, children and relatives.

(Notice Paper No.

258 (M 90 Govt 30) published on 2013-11-19) *6.
COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE OF SELECTION The Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to move the following motion: WHEREAS the House selected nine (9) members to the Parliamentary Committee on Selection of the 10th Parliament on February 10, 2012; AND WHEREAS the House selected four (4) members for the governing PPP/C, four (4) members for the opposition APNU and one (1) member for the opposition AFC; AND WHEREAS the allocation of a nine (9) member Committee of Selection was by way of an amendment by the combined APNU/AFC opposition to the motion tabled by the Leader of the House for a ten (10) member Committee with five (5) for PPP/C, four (4) APNU and one (1) AFC; AND WHEREAS Standing Order No.
94(1) provides for “each Select Committee being so constituted to ensure that, as far as possible, the balance of parties in the National Assembly be reflected in the Committee”; *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…9 9.

AND WHEREAS the existing balance of the parties in the 10th Parliament is as follows: PPP/C: APNU: AFC: 32 seats 26 seats 7 seats AND WHEREAS the balance of the parties in the existing Committee of Selection does not conform to Standing Order No.
94(1), BE IT RESOLVED: That the decision of the House on the composition of the Parliamentary Committee of Selection be declared inconsistent with Standing Order 94(1); BE IT ALSO RESOLVED: That the House takes immediate steps to ensure that the composition of the Parliamentary Committee of Selection is brought into conformity with Standing Order No.

94(1); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the currently constituted Committee of Selection be prevented from discharging its functions under Standing Order No.
81.

(Notice Paper No.

24 (M7 Govt 4) published on 2012-03-07) /...10 BILLS – Second Reading 10.

*7.

PROCUREMENT (AMENDENT) BILL 2013 – Bill No.

17/2013 published on 2013-11-07 In accordance with Standing Order 57(2), the Minister of Finance to move the second reading of the following Bill within six months: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Procurement Act.

(Read a first time on 2013-11-07) BILLS – Committee and Third Readings *8.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL 2012 – Bill No.


18/2012 published on 2012-08-09 The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Special Select Committee has reported thereon: A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the establishment of the Telecommunications Agency and for a regular, coordinated, open and competitive telecommunications sector and for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.
(Read a second time and referred to a Special Select Committee on 2013-11-07) (Read a first time on 2012-08-09) *9.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2012 – Bill No.

17/2012 published on 2012-08-09 The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Special Select Committee has reported thereon: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Public Utilities Commission Act.
(Read a first time on 2012-08-09) (Read a second time and referred to a Special Select Committee on 2013-11-07) *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting 11.

*10.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM (AMENDMENT) BILL 2013 – Bill No.
22/2013 published on 2013-12-10 The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Special Select Committee has reported thereon: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

(Read a first time on 2013-12-12) (Read a second time and referred to a Special Select Committee on 2013-12-19) (ii) PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS BILLS – Second Reading 11.

THE MARRIED PERSONS (PROPERTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 2013 – Bill No.
9 of 2013 published on 2013-06-14 Mrs. Deborah Backer, M.P., to move the second reading of the following Bill: A Bill intituled AN ACT to amend the Married Persons (Property) Act.

(Read a first time on 2013-06-13) MOTIONS 12.

REINTRODUCTION OF THE BERBICE RIVER FERRY SERVICE FROM NEW AMSTERDAM T0 KWAKWANI Mr. Trevor Williams, M.P.

to move the following motion: *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…12 12.
WHEREAS the Berbice River Ferry previously served a number of Communities from New Amsterdam to Kwakwani, providing critical and affordable transportation to hundreds of Guyanese families and their goods to and from the Berbice Coast; AND WHEREAS the Government of Guyana with no explanation unilaterally removed this critical service which linked the hinterland with the Coast; AND WHEREAS individuals, families, organizations and institutions from Communities of the Berbice River benefitted from this service in the past and now have to severely alter their way of life to the extent of relocating and abandoning their primary economic activity; AND WHEREAS many of these communities have now become abandoned and deserted due to lack of significant economic activities; AND WHEREAS many young people can no longer embrace a future in Agricultural activities to further develop themselves; AND WHEREAS this Ferry service remains a critical component to the development of the Berbice Riverain Communities; AND WHEREAS other far flung areas in Guyana which remain accessible by river mainly Northwest, Bartica and Essequibo Coast have had the ferry services maintained, thereby providing critical support to residents and facilitating the transport of large scale commodities, BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly immediately calls on the Government of Guyana to restore this service thereby reviving those communities and giving hope and stability to the many Guyanese who wish to venture into Agricultural entrepreneurship.
(Notice Paper No.

256 (M 88 Opp 52) published on 2013-11-13) /…13 13.

13.

RESTORATION OF THE ANNUAL SUBVENTION/GRANT TO THE CRITCHLOW LABOUR COLLEGE Mr. Trevor Williams, M.P.
to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Critchlow Labour College through its three Campuses in Georgetown, Linden and Berbice served to educate thousands of Guyanese, both adult and youth, for decades and giving many a second chance at educating themselves; AND WHEREAS the Government of Guyana, both PNC and PPP/C, through the Ministry of Finance, provided a subvention to the Critchlow Labour College thereby subsidising the cost of education to thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life; AND WHEREAS through the benefit of this subvention the Critchlow Labour College successfully entered into partnerships for developing education within Guyana and abroad with reputable institutions; AND WHEREAS through its offering of academic courses hundreds of young Guyanese entered and re-entered the job market and rose through the ranks to become highly skilled and successful professionals; AND WHEREAS parents and guardians alike were able to access affordable education at a convenient time, thereby developing themselves and making their families more stable; AND WHEREAS after the withdrawal of this subvention the institution eventually collapsed thereby bringing to ruin the hopes and aspirations of thousands of young Guyanese from all walks of life; /…14 AND WHEREAS the Critchlow Labour College now offers a significantly reduced curriculum thereby limiting the options of those desiring higher education, 14.
BE IT RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls on the Government of Guyana to restore the full subvention thereby allowing the Critchlow Labour College to be re-opened to its full capacity.

(Notice Paper No.

257 (M 89 Opp 53) published on 2013-11-13) 14.

THE BROADCASTING (AMENDMENT) BILL 2013 – BILL NO.

19 OF 2013 Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Joseph Harmon, M.S.M., M.P., to move the following motion: BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order No.
52(1), grant leave for the introduction and first reading of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2013 – Bill No.

19 of 2013:- A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Broadcasting Act.

(Notice Paper No.

259 (M 91 Opp 54) published on 2013-11-21) If leave is granted, the Clerk shall read aloud the title of the Bill.

15.

BERBICE RIVER BRIDGE Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Joseph Harmon, M.S.M., M.P.
to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Berbice Bridge was built with significant investment by the Government of Guyana on behalf of the People of Guyana; /…15 15.

AND WHEREAS the Berbice Bridge is owned and operated by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), a company incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act No.
29 of 1991 of the Laws of Guyana; AND WHEREAS the Government of Guyana through National Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) is a preferential shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc.; AND WHEREAS since it’s commissioning in December, 2008 the Berbice Bridge has facilitated crossing of over 650,000 vehicles (of the Berbice River) resulting in an annual revenue of over $1,500,000,000 (one billion five hundred million dollars) for the Berbice Bridge Company Inc.; AND WHEREAS the toll for vehicles crossing the Berbice Bridge presently is: Category Motor Cars Mini Buses Motor Cycles Four-wheel drive/ SUVs/Pick-ups Present Rates $2200 $2200 $200 $4000 SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities $4000 Four-wheel drives, SUVs and pick-ups pulling horse $4000 buggies Four-wheel drives/ SUVs / pick-ups transporting BBQ $4000 Grills, coolers 50-seater bus 30-seater bus Large Trucks $12,800 $7,200 $13,600 /…16 16.
AND WHEREAS the toll for crossing the Berbice River is exceedingly high when compared to a similar crossing of the Demerara River by the Demerara Harbour Bridge and represents a significant devolution of wealth from the people of Berbice in particular to the benefit of a private company; AND WHEREAS in recognition that the toll was too high the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. for a specific period over August 1, 2013 to August 12, 2013 reduced the toll for the crossing of the Berbice Bridge to the following rates: Category Current toll charges/freight Reduced toll charges for the charges month of August/no freight Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick- G$4000 ups charge G$3000 SUVs/Pick-ups pulling a boat G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge for recreational activities for tourism and pleasure activity Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick- G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge ups pulling horse buggies Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick- G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge ups transporting BBQ grills, for tourism and pleasure coolers 50-seater buses 30-seater buses Large trucks G$12,800 G$7,200 G$13,600 activity G$9,000 G$6,000 G$10,000 /…17 AND WHEREAS section 3 and section 4 of the Berbice River Bridge Act 2006 - No.
3 of 2006 provides for the Minister responsible for public works to make “Toll Orders”, 17.
BE IT RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls on the Government of Guyana to instruct its representative on the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. to demand an immediate reduction in tolls charged by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. for crossing the Berbice River; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls upon the Minister responsible for Public Works to make the following Toll Order: Present Rates Proposed Rates Category Motor Cars Mini Buses Motor Cycles Four-wheel drive/ SUVs/Pick-ups $2,200 $2,200 $200 $4,000 $1,000 $1,000 Free $3,000 $3,000 SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for $4,000 recreational activities Four-wheel drives, SUVs and pick-ups $4,000 $3,000 pulling horse buggies Four-wheel drives/ SUVs / pick-ups $4,000 $3,000 transporting BBQ Grills, coolers 50-seater bus 30-seater bus Large Trucks $12,800 $7,200 $13,600 $9,000 $6,000 $10,000 (Notice Paper No.
272 (M 93 Opp 56) published on 2013-12-10) /…18 19.

*16.

THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENCE OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE FROM 2004 TO 2010 IN GUYANA Brig.
(Ret’d) David Granger, M.S.S., M.P., Leader of the Opposition, to move the following motion: WHEREAS, Article 138(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana prescribes that no person shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of the sentence of a court in respect of an offence under the Laws of Guyana of which he has been convicted; AND WHEREAS in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, “The President may issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorizing such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the President, be for the public welfare”; AND WHEREAS this country has witnessed a pattern of unlawful killing of undetermined numbers of persons – including assassinations; executions; murders; extra-judicial killings by members of the Guyana Police Force Target Special Squad and other forms of criminal violence in Guyana during a period of ‘troubles’ on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara and elsewhere – which were harmful to the public welfare; AND WHEREAS several of these killings have been of a deliberate and systematic nature – particularly those which occurred at Agricola; Bartica; Buxton; Eccles; Lindo Creek; Lusignan and Bel Air, Bourda and Kitty in Georgetown – which can be classified as massacres and have engendered alarm and despondency among the population; *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…19 19.
AND WHEREAS some killings involved members of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and unidentified criminal gangs in which gangsters were equipped with a variety of electronic ‘eavesdropping’ equipment, weapons and vehicles that were provided with assistance and support by members of the Guyana Police Force; AND WHEREAS commissions of inquiry and coroners’ inquests have not been conducted into some unnatural deaths and criminal investigation reports by the Guyana Police Force, with regard to the most egregious of these crimes, have often been inconclusive; AND WHEREAS the National Assembly is the supreme legislative forum of our Republic wherein the people’s elected representatives discuss and determine matters of national interest and which is obliged to consider the grave threats to the public welfare and public security which prevailed during the aforesaid period of the ‘troubles’ and which remain substantially uninvestigated, BE IT RESOLVED: That the National Assembly condemns the killing of citizens of Guyana which occurred during the period of the ‘troubles’ and expresses its concern that commissions of inquiry have not been convened to investigate the unlawful killings, including the assassination of a Minister of the Government in April, 2006, on the East Coast of Demerara; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls upon the President of Guyana, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to inquire into the unlawful killing of citizens during the years 2004 to 2010.
(Notice Paper No.

112 (M47 Opp 29) published on 2012-12-12) /…20 20.

*17.
PREVENTING HONOURABLE CLEMENT ROHEE, M.P., MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS FROM SPEAKING IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY The Assembly to resume the debate on the following motion after the Committee of Privileges has reported thereon: WHEREAS Article 171(1) of the Constitution provides that subject to the provisions of this Constitution and of the rules of procedure of the National Assembly, any member of the Assembly may introduce any Bill or propose any motion for debate in, or may present any Petition to the Assembly and the same shall be debated and disposed of according to the rules of the procedure of the Assembly; AND WHEREAS Article 165(1) of the Constitution provides that, subject to the provisions of this Constitution the National Assembly may regulate its own procedure and may make rules for that purpose; AND WHEREAS on the 25th day of July, 2012, Brig.
(Ret.’d) David Granger moved a motion in the National Assembly of No Confidence in the Hon.

Clement Rohee, M.P., as Minister of Home Affairs and called for his immediate removal, and dismissal from office; AND WHEREAS on the 30th day of July, 2012, Resolution No.

18 of 2012, was passed by the National Assembly in accordance with the said motion; AND WHEREAS the Hon.
Clement Rohee, M.P., is a member of the Cabinet of Guyana with the portfolio of the Minister of Home Affairs; *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…21 21.

AND WHEREAS Standing Order No.

47 Rule 10 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly provides that “Nothing in this Standing Order shall be taken to deprive the Assembly of the power of proceeding against any Member according to any Resolution of the Assembly”; AND WHEREAS Standing Order No.
113 of the said Standing Orders of the National Assembly provides that “In any matter not herein provided for, resort shall be had to the usage and practice of the House of Commons Assembly of Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which shall be followed as far as the same, may be applicable to the Assembly, and not inconsistent with these Standing Orders or with the practice of the Assembly”; AND WHEREAS the practice and convention in the House of Commons of England is that a Minister who loses a no confidence motion, resigns as Minister, BE IT RESOLVED: That since the National Assembly, by National Assembly Resolution No.
18 of 2012, has expressed no confidence in the performance of the Honourable Clement Rohee, M.P.

as Minister of Home Affairs, that he be prevented from speaking in the National Assembly so long as he is purporting to carry out the functions of Minister of Home Affairs as published in the Official Gazette.

(Notice Paper No.

104 (M45 Opp 27) published on 2012-11-22) (Referred to Committee of Privileges on 2012-11-22 in accordance with Standing Order No.

91) *18.
91) *18.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2012 – No.

15/2012 Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P., to move the following motion: *Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…22 22.

BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order No.

52(1), grant leave for the introduction and first reading of the Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012 – Bill No.

15/2012 – A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Public Utilities Commission Act.

(Notice Paper No.
(Notice Paper No.

96 (M38 Opp 22) published on 2012-08-02) If leave is granted, the Clerk shall read aloud the title of the Bill.

*19.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL 2012 – Bill No.

16/2012 Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P., to move the following motion: BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order No.

52(1), grant leave for the introduction and first reading of the Telecommunications Bill 2012 – Bill No.
16/2012 – A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the establishment of the Telecommunication Agency and for a regular, coordinated, open and competitive telecommunications sector and for matters incidental thereto or connected therewith.

(Notice Paper No.

97 (M39 Opp 23) published on 2012-08-02) If leave is granted, the Clerk shall read aloud the title of the Bill.

*Not to be proceeded with at this sitting /…23 23.

BILL – Committee and Third Reading *20.


OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BILL 2012 – No.
8/2012 published on 2012-08-10 The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Special Select Committee has reported thereon: A BILL intituled AN ACT to set out the responsibilities and authority of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly of Guyana and to provide for the establishment and administration of an independent Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly.
(Read a first time on 2012-08-09) (Read a second time and committed to the Special Select Committee on 2012-12-17) (iii) COMMITTEES BUSINESS MOTION 21.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION Dr. George Norton, M.P.
(Chairman of the Committee on Appointments), to move the following motion: WHEREAS Article 212A of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an Ethnic Relations Commission; AND WHEREAS in accordance with Article 212 B (1) of the Constitution, the Ethnic Relations Commission shall consist of – /…24 24.
(a) “not less than five nor more than fifteen members, nominated by entities, by a consensual mechanism determined by the National Assembly, including entities, representative of religious bodies, the labour movement, the private business sector, youth and women, after the entities are determined by the votes not less than two- thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly; (b) a member who shall be a nominee, without the right to vote, chosen by and from each of the following commissions to be established under this Constitution, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission, Commission for the Rights of the Child and Human Rights Commission.” AND WHEREAS the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Appointments (COA)examined the list of entities to nominate members to the Ethnic Relations Commission in accordance with article 212 B (1)(a) of the Constitution, and Resolution No.
62 of 2000 with regard to the number of members on the said Commission; AND WHEREAS the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments recommends that the number of members on the Ethnic Relations Commission be increased to ten (10) and the categories or groups include the representatives of the Christian, Hindu, and Muslim bodies, the labour movement, the private business sector, youth and women and a new category “Cultural/ Ethnic” with one nominee each from the three (3) largest ethnic groups: Indo-Guyanese, Afro- Guyanese and Indigenous/Amerindian.
BE IT RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves the increase in the number of members on the Ethnic Relations Commission from seven (7) to ten (10) as proposed by the Committee on Appointments; /…25 25.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves of the inclusion of a new category “Cultural/Ethnic” with the right to have three (3) members, one representative each of the three largest ethnic groups; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves the list of entities on the attached First Schedule in accordance with Article 212 (B)(1)(a); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves that the number of nominees for each group of entities be as follows:- Groups of Entities Christian Religion Hindu Religion Muslim Religion Labour Movement Private Sector Organisations Youth Organisations Women Organisations Cultural/Ethnic Organisations - Indo-Guyanese - Afro-Guyanese - Indigenous/Amerindian Number of Members One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member One Member /…26 26.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this National Assembly approves the consensual mechanism for the nomination of the members by the entities as set out in the Second Schedule attached.

(Notice Paper No.

250 (M 82 Committee 6) published on 2013-12-06) ……………………………………… S.E.

ISAACS Clerk of the National Assembly PARLIAMENT OFFICE, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.
3rd February, 2014 AMENDED SECOND SCHEDULE Consensual Mechanism for the Nomination by Entities for members of the Ethnic Relations Commission All the Entities in each Group, immediately on the passage of this motion, should be written to by the Clerk of the National Assembly inviting them to meet as a group, to select their nominees and to send a representative/s on an appointed day/date, time to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee to Appoint Members of the Commissions, at the Parliament Buildings to present the name/s of their nominee/s for Membership on the Ethnic Relations Commission.
A deadline shall be set by the Clerk of the National Assembly on advice by the Standing Committee, by which time it would be formally notified of the names and other requested particulars of the Nominee/s, the process used for the selection of the Nominee/s by the entity, and a statement to the effect that the Nominee/s is/are supported and accepted by that entity.
The Nominee/s chosen to represent the Group must be a person/s who is competent to contribute positively to the work of the Commission and who is/are committed to ensuring that it discharges all of its functions.

They should have earned public respect and be of unquestionable honesty and integrity.

The process used must be demonstrated to be unbiased and transparent.
It is important that the Nominee/s obtain the unquestioned support and acceptance of the Entity nominating them as well as the Entities within the Group.

Where there is a recognized “umbrella organization” in the list of entities for that Group, the Clerk shall write to that organization and copy his letter to each of the “constituent entities” within the Group.

7