Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698073733468.pdf (Guyana)
PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA FOR THE WEEK MONDAY, 10th February, 2014 - FRIDAY, 14th February, 2014 Monday, 10th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly TIME: 2.00 p.m. VENUE: Parliament Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

BUSINESS: PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS- By Mr. Sydney Allicock, M.P.

Petition on behalf of the Residents of Region No.


9, calling on the Lethem Power Company Inc. (LMPCI) to immediately rescind its decision in relation to the increase in Tariffs and request that the Petition be read.

(Circulated) QUESTIONS ON NOTICE- For Written Replies 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 1 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 advice 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?

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

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

2 (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.
(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.
(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.

Minister state prosecutions achieved during 2013 against persons breathalyzer tests?

the number of successful failing (Notice Paper No.

280 (Q 184 Opp.

182) published on 2014-01-20) 3 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) 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: 4 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: intituled AN ACT A Bill Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act.
to amend the Caribbean 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: 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) 5 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) 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 administrative incorporation organizations in Guyana and to provide for other matters connected therewith.
autonomous national cricket of 6 (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.

(ii) PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS BILLS – Second Reading THE MARRIED PERSONS (PROPERTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 5.

2013 – Bill No.
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.

MOTIONS (Read a first time on 2013-06-13) 6.

REINTRODUCTION OF THE BERBICE RIVER FERRY SERVICE FROM NEW AMSTERDAM T0 KWAKWANI Mr. Trevor Williams, M.P.
to move the following motion: 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; 7 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 8 7.

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 into partnerships for developing Labour College successfully entered 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; AND WHEREAS the Critchlow Labour College now offers a significantly reduced curriculum thereby limiting the options of those desiring higher education, BE IT RESOLVED: 9 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) 8.

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.
(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.

9.

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; 10 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 is a preferential Industrial & Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) 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 SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities Present Rates $2200 $2200 $200 $4000 $4000 Four-wheel drives, SUVs and pick-ups pulling horse buggies $4000 Four-wheel transporting BBQ Grills, coolers drives/ SUVs / pick-ups $4000 11 50-seater bus 30-seater bus Large Trucks $12,800 $7,200 $13,600 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 Four-wheel
 drive/SUVs/Pick-ups SUVs/Pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick-ups pulling horse buggies Current toll charges/freight charges Reduced toll charges for the month of August/no freight charge G$4000 G$3000 G$4000 G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge for tourism and pleasure activity G$3000 and no freight charge 12 G$4000 Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick-ups transporting BBQ grills, coolers 50-seater buses G$12,800 30-seater buses G$7,200 Large trucks G$13,600 G$3000 and no freight charge for tourism and pleasure activity G$9,000 G$6,000 G$10,000 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”, 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: 13 Category Present Rates Proposed Rates Motor Cars Mini Buses Motor Cycles $2,200 $2,200 $200 Four-wheel drive/ SUVs/Pick-ups $4,000 SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities $4,000 $1,000 $1,000 Free $3,000 $3,000 Four-wheel drives, SUVs and pick-ups pulling horse buggies Four-wheel drives/ SUVs / pick- transporting BBQ Grills, ups coolers $4,000 $3,000 $4,000 $3,000 50-seater bus 30-seater bus Large Trucks $12,800 $7,200 $9,000 $6,000 $13,600 $10,000 (Notice Paper No.
272 (M 93 Opp 56) published on 2013-12-10) 14 (iii) COMMITTEES BUSINESS MOTION 10.

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 – (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; 15 that the number of members on AND WHEREAS the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments recommends 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; 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:- 16 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 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) 17 Meetings of Parliamentary Committees 1.

*Special Select Committee on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013- Bill No.

22/2013 TIME: 12:00 p.m. VENUE: Committee Room No.

1, Committees Division, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.
BUSINESS: * (i) Correction of Minutes of the 9th Meeting held on 9th February, 2014; (ii) To consider the Draft Report on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013-Bill No.

22/2013; and (iii) To consider the Amendments to the Principal Act: The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Act No.

13 of 2009.

Any Other Business * Not Opened to the Public *Not to be proceeded with at this meeting.

18 2.
18 2.

The Assembly Committee TIME: VENUE: During the suspension of the Sitting of the National Assembly for refreshments.

Committee Room No.

2 (Ground Floor, West of the Main Stairway), Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.
BUSINESS: (i) Correction and confirmation of Minutes of the 3rd Meeting held on Thursday, 14th February, 2013; (ii) Matters arising; (iii) Discussion on the document: “Parliamentary Decorum and Etiquette”; (iv) Discussion on the proposed Codes of Conduct for visitors in the Public Gallery, Journalists and other Media Personnel; (v) Discussion on the creation of a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament; (vii) Discussion on the review of salaries, benefits and emoluments for Members of Parliament; and (viii) To review catering and other facilities.
Any Other Business 19 Tuesday, 11th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees *Special Select Committee on the Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012-Bill No.

17/2012 and the Telecommunications Bill 2012-Bill No.

18/2012 TIME: 5:00 p.m. VENUE: Video Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Road & Shiv Chandrapaul Drive, Georgetown.
BUSINESS: (i) Correction and confirmation of Minutes of the 2nd Meeting held on January 30, 2014; (ii) Matters arising; and (iii) Presentation by representatives identified by the Hon.

Prime Minister on the “General merit”, as well as any special aspects of the sector, key to a full understanding of the Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012- Bill No.

17/2012 and the Telecommunications Bill 2012- Bill No.

18/2012.
18/2012.

Any Other Business * Not Opened to the Public 20 Wednesday, 12th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees *Meeting of the Subcommittee of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Guyana Branch on the Establishment of the Youth Parliament of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana TIME: 11:00 a.m. VENUE: Committee Room No.

2, (Ground Floor, west of the main stairway), Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.
BUSINESS: To have a discussion with Mr. Kwame McCoy, Coordinator of the National Youth Parliament, on the objectives, functions and operational procedures of the National Youth Parliament.
Any Other Business * Not Opened to the Public 21 Thursday, 13th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees NIL Friday, 14th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees NIL --------------------------------- Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

10th February, 2014 22