Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698073701031.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 83RD SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2012-2014) OF THE TENTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, 15TH APRIL, 2014 IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BRICKDAM, GEORGETOWN.

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (68) Speaker (1) The Hon Raphael G.C.

Trotman, M.P., Speaker of the National Assembly MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT (34) (i) People’s Progressive Party/Civic (34) Hon.
Samuel A.A. Hinds, O.E., M.P., Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Hon.

Clement J. Rohee, M.P., Minister of Home Affairs Hon.

Dr. Leslie S. Ramsammy, M.P., Minister of Agriculture Hon.

Mohabir A. Nandlall, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica), Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Hon.

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, M.P.

(Region No.

9 – Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon.

Dr. Ashni K. Singh, M.P., Minister of Finance Hon.

Robert M. Persaud, M.P.


(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne), Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Hon.

Dr. Jennifer Westford, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Minister of the Public Service /…2 2.

Hon.

Dr. Bheri S. Ramsarran, M.P., Minister of Health Hon.

Mohamed I. Alli, M.P., Minister of Housing and Water Hon.

Dr. Frank C.S.

Anthony, M.P., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Hon.

Brindley H.R.

Benn, M.P., Minister of Public Works Hon.

Priya D. Manickchand, M.P.


(Region No.

5 – Mahaica/Berbice), Minister of Education Hon.

Jennifer I.M.

Webster, M.P., Minister of Human Services and Social Security Hon.

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

Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul, M.P., Minister of Labour Hon.

Alli Baksh, M.P.

(Region No.

2 – Pomeroon/Supernaam), Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Hon.

Norman A. Whittaker, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.


1 – Barima/Waini), Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Hon.

Bishop Juan A. Edghill, M.S., J.P., M.P., Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ms Gail Teixeira, M.P., Government Chief Whip Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.

Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Bibi S. Shadick, M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Mr. Ganga Persaud, M.P.

*Non-Elected Minister /…3 3.


Mr. Komal Chand, C.C.H., J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P.

Mr. Neendkumar, J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P.

Dr. Vishwa D.B.

Mahadeo, M.P.

Rev.

Dr. Kwame A. Gilbert, M.P.

**Mr. Joseph Hamilton, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, M.S., M.P.

Mr. Cornel Damon, M.P.

(Region No.

2 – Pomeroon/Supernaam) Mr. Faizal M. Jafarally, M.P.
(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne) Members of the Opposition (33) (ii) Members of A Partnership for National Unity(26) Brigadier (Ret’d) David A. Granger, M.S.S., M.P., Leader of the Opposition Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, M.P.

Ms Amna Ally, M.P., Opposition Chief Whip Mr.

Basil Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica), Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Volda Lawrence, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Dr. George Norton, M.P.

**Non-Elected Member /…4 4.


Mr. Carl B. Greenidge, M.P.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Joseph F. Harmon, M.S.M., M.P.

Mr. Ronald A. Bulkan, M.P.

Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

Ms Dawn Hastings-Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

7 – Cuyuni/Mazaruni) Mr. Winston Felix, D.S.M., M.P.

Dr. Karen Cummings, M.P.

Ms Jennifer J.

Wade, M.P.

(Region No.

5 – Mahaica/Berbice) Mr. Sydney Allicock, M.S., M.P.

Ms Africo Selman, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Desmond Trotman, M.P.

Mr. James A.

Bond, M.P.


Mr. Ernest Elliot, M.P., (Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Ms Vanessa Kissoon, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Mrs. Mabel Baveghems, M.P.

Mr. John Adams, M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Mr. Christopher A. Jones, M.P.

Mr. Renis Morian, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Ms Rennita L. Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

1 – Barima/Waini) Miss Annette N. Ferguson, M.P.

/…5 5.
/…5 5.

(iii)Members of The Alliance For Change (7) Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, M.P.

Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, J.P., M.P.

Mrs. Catherine Hughes, M.P.

Mrs. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, M.P.

Dr. Veersammy Ramayya, M.P.

(Region No.

6 – East Berbice/Corentyne) Ms June Eula Marcello, M.P.

(Region No.

8 – Potaro/Siparuni) Mr. Trevor Williams, M.P.


OFFICERS Mr. Sherlock E. Isaacs, Clerk of the National Assembly Ms Hermina Gilgeours, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (a.g.) COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 2.00 p.m. PRAYERS The Clerk read the prayers.

/…6 6.
/…6 6.

PUBLIC BUSINESS (i) GOVERNMENT’S BUSINESS MOTION BUDGET SPEECH 2014 – MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 2014 The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2014.
(Moved by the Minister of Finance on 2014-03-24) 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: 01 - OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Current Expenditure 011 Administrative Services Line Item 011-Administrative Services was put and negatived on the following division: AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Ms Marcello Dr. Ramayya Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Mrs. Hughes Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Ramjattan Ms Ferguson FOR Mr. Jafarally Mr. Damon Dr. Persaud Rev.
Gilbert Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Neendkumar Mr. Lumumba /…7 7.

Ms Williams Mr. Morian Mr. Jones Mr. Adams Ms Baveghems Ms Kissoon Mr. Elliot Mr.

Bond Mr. Trotman Ms Selman Mr. Allicock Ms Wade Dr. Cummings Mr. Felix Ms Hastings Mr. Scott Mr. Bulkan Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Harmon Mr. Greenidge Dr. Norton Mrs. Lawrence Mr. B. Williams Ms Ally Dr. Roopnarine Brig.
(Ret’d) Granger _________________________ 33 _________________________ Mr. Chand Mr. G. Persaud Bibi Shadick Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Nadir Ms Teixeira Bishop Edghill Mr. Whittaker Mr. Baksh Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Ms Webster Ms Manickchand Mr. Benn Dr. Anthony Mr. Ali Dr. Ramsarran Dr. Westford Mr. R. Persaud Dr. Singh Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mr. Nandlall Dr. Ramsammy Mr. Rohee Mr. Hinds _____________________ 32 _____________________ \ /…8 8.
01 - OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Capital Expenditure 011 Administrative Services Line Item 011-Administrative Services was put and negatived on the following division: AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Ms Marcello Dr. Ramayya Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Mrs. Hughes Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Ramjattan Ms Ferguson Ms Williams Mr. Morian Mr. Jones Mr. Adams Ms Baveghems Ms Kissoon Mr. Elliot Mr.

Bond Mr. Trotman Ms Selman Mr. Allicock Ms Wade Dr. Cummings FOR Mr. Jafarally Mr. Damon Dr. Persaud Rev.
Gilbert Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Neendkumar Mr. Lumumba Mr. Chand Mr. G. Persaud Bibi Shadick Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Nadir Ms Teixeira Bishop Edghill Mr. Whittaker Mr. Baksh Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Ms Webster Ms Manickchand Mr. Benn /…9 Mr. Felix Ms Hastings Mr. Scott Mr. Bulkan Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Harmon Mr. Greenidge Dr. Norton Mrs. Lawrence Mr. B. Williams Ms Ally Dr. Roopnarine Brig.

(Ret’d) Granger _________________________ 33 _________________________ 9.
Dr. Anthony Mr. Ali Dr. Ramsarran Dr. Westford Mr. R. Persaud Dr. Singh Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mr. Nandlall Dr. Ramsammy Mr. Rohee Mr. Hinds _____________________ 32 _____________________ 01 - OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Current Expenditure 012 Presidential Advisory (Cabinet and Other Services) 013 Defence and National Security 09 - PUBLIC AND POLICE SERVICE COMMISSIONS Current Expenditure 091 Public and Police Service Commissions Capital Expenditure 091 Public and Police Service Commissions /…10 10.
10 - TEACHING SERVICE COMMISSION Current Expenditure 101 Teaching Service Commission Capital Expenditure 101 Teaching Service Commission 11 - GUYANA ELECTIONS COMMISSION Current Expenditure 111 Elections Commission 112 Elections Administration Capital Expenditure 111 Elections Commission Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 5.00 p.m., the sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 6.00 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: 53 - GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE Current Expenditure 531 Defence and Security Support /…11 11.
Capital Expenditure 531 Defence and Security Support 57 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Current Expenditure 571 Ombudsman 58 - PUBLIC SERVICE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL Current Expenditure 581 Public Service Appellate Tribunal Capital Expenditure 581 Public Service Appellate Tribunal 02 - OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Current Expenditure 021 Prime Minister's Secretariat Capital Expenditure 021 Prime Minister's Secretariat 07 - PARLIAMENT OFFICE Current Expenditure 071 National Assembly Capital Expenditure 071 National Assembly 04 - MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Current Expenditure 041 Development of Foreign Policy 042 Foreign Policy Promotion 043 Development of Foreign Trade Policy /…12 12.
Capital Expenditure 041 Development of Foreign Policy 042 Foreign Policy Promotion 043 Development of Foreign Trade Policy 52 - MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS Current Expenditure 521 Main Office 522 Ministry Administration 523 Attorney General's Chambers 524 State Solicitor 525 Deeds Registry Capital Expenditure 521 Main Office 522 Ministry Administration 524 Office of the State Solicitor 55 - SUPREME COURT Current Expenditure 551 Supreme Court of Judicature Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 7.38 p.m., the sitting was suspended to allow the Government and Opposition to discuss a proposed motion to amend the Budgetary provision for the Supreme Court and to insert it under Statutory Bodies in the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2014.
/…13 13.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 8.11p.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: 55 - SUPREME COURT Current Expenditure 551 Supreme Court of Judicature The Minister of Finance moved the following motion to amend Line Item 551 Supreme Court of Judicature, which was put and carried: That the amounts shown in Column 4 for the Agencies, Account Codes, and Descriptions listed below be reduced and / or increased by the amounts shown in Columns 5 and 6: Col 1 Col 2 Col 3 Col 4 Col 5 Col 6 Col 7 Page Agency and Description Acc code & Description Provided Reduction Addition Proposed (G$Mn) (G$Mn) (G$Mn) (G$Mn) Estimated Amounts 224.181 151.99 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 244 244 244 244 244 244 551/ 6011 - Statutory Wages and Salaries 551/ 6012 - Statutory Benefits and Allowances 551/ 6111 - Administrative 551/ 6113 - Other Technical and Craft Skilled 551/ 6114 - Clerical and Office Support 551/ 6115 - Semi-Skilled Operatives and Unskilled 74.503 45.62 4.263 41.043 9.441 244 55: Supreme 551/ 6116 - Contracted 103.804 34.57 31.71 2.84 27.37 6.29 73.17 72.19 39.94 13.91 1.42 13.68 3.15 - - - - - - - Court Employees 30.63 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme
 Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 244 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 245 551/ 6131 - Other Direct Labour Costs 551/ 6133 - Benefits and Allowances 551/ 6134 - National Insurance 551/ 6221 - Drugs and Medical Supplies 551/ 6222 - Field Materials and Supplies 551/ 6223
 - Office Materials and Supplies 551/ 6224 - Print and Non-Print 551/ 6231 - Fuel and Lubricants 551/ 6241 - Rental of Buildings 551/ 6242 - Maintenance of Buildings 551/ 6243 - Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies 551/ 6255 - Maintenance of Other Infrastructure 551/ 6261 - Local Travel and Subsistence 551/6263 - Postage, Telex and Cablegrams 551/6264 - Vehicle Spares and Service 551/6271 - Telephone Charges 551/ 6272 - Electricity Charges 551/ 6273 - Water Charges 551/ 6281 - Security Services 551/ 6282 - Equipment Maintenance 551/ 6283 - Cleaning and Extermination Services 551/ 6284 - Other 551/ 6291 - National and Other Events 551/ 6293 - Refreshments and Meals 19.026 16.83 0.602 8 0.55 6.84 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0.06 8.72 2.21 - 0.01 0.78 0.58 1.12 2.50 2.51 0.50 0.49 1.43 0.06 0.75 0.73 2.02 0.01 5.74 1.31 0.83 2.19 0.05 1.16 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55:
 Supreme Court 245 245 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 246 247 247 247 551/ 6294 - Other 551/6302 - Training (including Scholarships) 552/ 6111 - Administrative 552/ 6113 - Other Technical and Craft Skilled 552/ 6114 - Clerical and Office Support 552/ 6115 - Semi-Skilled Operatives and Unskilled 552/ 6116 - Contracted Employees 552/ 6117 -Temporary Employees 552/ 6131 - Other Direct Labour Costs 552/ 6133 - Benefits and Allowances 552/ 6134 - National
 Insurance 552/ 6221 - Drugs and Medical Supplies 552/ 6222 - Field Materials and Supplies 552/ 6223 - Office Materials and Supplies 552/ 6224 - Print and Non-Print 552/ 6241 - Rental of Buildings 552/ 6242 - Maintenance of Buildings 552/ 6243 - Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies 552/ 6255 - Maintenance of Other Infrastructure 552/ 6261 - Local Travel and Subsistence 552/6263 - Postage, Telex and Cablegrams 552/6271 - Telephone Charges 552/ 6272 - Electricity Charges 552/ 6273 - Water Charges - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3.24 - 38.503 1.994 6.621 0.181 25.103 1.885 - 13.665 1.703 - - 0.596 0.431 3.814 2.337 0.500 0.483 9.616 0.032 0.404 1.594 - 19.441 15.01 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 55: Supreme Court 247 247 247 247 247 247 247 245 552/ 6281 - Security Services 552/ 6282 - Equipment Maintenance 552/ 6283 - Cleaning and Extermination Services 552/ 6284 - Other 552/ 6291 - National and Other Events 552/ 6293 - Refreshments and Meals 552/ 6294 - Other 551/ 6321 - Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organisations 2.500 3.272 7.000 0.400 3.000 0.920 - - - - - - - - 4.428 0.208
 0.310 2.100 0.024 0.459 0.188 2.29 2.96 4.90 0.38 2.54 0.73 - 862.663 862.663 Total 1,193.748 862.663 862.663 1,193.748 Thereafter, Agency: 55 Supreme Court - Programme: Supreme Court of Judicature - Statutory Body: Supreme Court was inserted under Statutory Bodies in the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2014.
55 - SUPREME COURT Current Expenditure 551 Supreme Court of Judicature 552 Magistracy Capital Expenditure 551 Supreme Court of Judicature 552 Magistrates' Department 56 - PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS Current Expenditure 561 Public Prosecutions /…17 17.
Capital Expenditure 561 Public Prosecutions 14 - PUBLIC SERVICE MINISTRY Current Expenditure 141 Public Service Management Capital Expenditure 141 Public Service Management 24 - MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT Current Expenditure 241 Ministry Administration 242 Natural Resource Management 243 Environmental Management Capital Expenditure 241 Ministry Administration 242 Natural Resource Management 243 Environmental Management Assembly resumed /…18 18.
ADJOURNMENT At 9.40 p.m., on a motion by the Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the Assembly was adjourned to 2.00 p.m., on Wednesday, 16th April, 2014.

……………………………………………….. HON.

RAPHAEL G.C.

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

15th April, 2014.