Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697795652832.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AT 2.00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

4TH MARCH.

1987 J;N �;am PARL IAMEN T CHAM BER.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

GEORGETOWN MEMBERS QF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY {74) Speake;g '1} *Ode.

Sase �arain, Assembly O.R., s.c., J.P., M.P., Speaker of the National Members of the Governm ent -People'� National Congress (62) MJ,nis;ters in the Cabinet (J.Ql.

Prime Minister (1) Cde.

H. Green, M.P., Prime Minister Other Vice-President and First Deputy Prime Minister Cde.

D�.
D�.

M. Shahabuddee M.P., Vice-President, n, O.R., s.c., (1) First Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General Vice-Presidents and Deputy Prime Ministers (2) Other Cde.

R. Chandisingh ,.

M.P., Vice-President; National Mobilisation,.

and Deputy Prime Minister Cde.

Viola V.

B1.

:rnham., O.R., M.P., Vice-Pres ident, Education and Social Development, and Deputy Prime Minister Otber Deputy P;time Ministers ( 2) Ode.

W.A.L,H.

Parris" c.c,H Planning and Development •• M.P., Deputy Prime Minister, Cde.
R.H.O.

Corbin, M.P., Deputy :Prime Minister ., Public Utilities Ministers {4L Senior Cde.

R.E.

Jackson,, M.P., Minister of Foreign -IICdG.

C.B.

Greenidge, Cde.

s. Prashad,.

M.P., Minister Cde.

w.s.

Murray, C.C.H., M.P., Minister M.P., Minister of Labour of Finance of Trade and Tourism Affairs (Absent -on leave) (1�) Otho,; Ministers Senior Ministers (7,:M Cde.

J .R.

Thomas, K Cde.

Dr. R.Ji.. Van West-Charle Environment an.


Food Policy .P., Minister of Regional Develo,tment s, M.P., Minister of Medical Education ,.

Cde.

Yvonne V. Harewood-Benm, M.P., Minister of Information and tha Public Service *Cde.

Dr. P.L.

McKenzia, A.A., M.P., Senior Minister in the Ministry of Agt:'iculture: M.P., Minister *Ode.

D.M.A.

Bernard, *Cde.

J .R.

Kranenburg, M.P., Minister *Cde.

Dr. N.E.


Blackman, M.F., Minister in the Ministry of Communicatio of Education ns and Work:a in the Ministry of Health *Non-ele cted Member 2.

{ 5) :W,niqj;.,crs Cde.

Urmia E .H.

Johnson, M.P., Minister in the Ministry aif National Mobilisation Cde.

C�G.

Sharma, A.A.,.

J.F., M.P., Minister in the Office­ (Absent of the President Cde.

D. Sawh, M.F., Hinister *Cde.

V.V.

Parva�an, Cde.

J.T.


Kisscon, Education, -on leave} of Forestry Environment and Food Policy M.P., Minister in the Ministry M.i., Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture of Medical Minis�s of State (3) *Cde.

D.A�N.

Ainsworth, M.P., Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Cde.

Dr.

Faith.

A. Harding, of Planning and Development M.P., Minister of State in the Ministry Cde.

Stella Odie-Ali, of Hor.ie Affairs M.P., Minister of State in the Ministry P§ifliamentary Secretary (1) *Cde.
Joan M.G.

Persico, A.A., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary, Education Government Qhief 'Whip (1) Cde.

Jennifer A. Ferreira, M.P., Government Chief Whip Other Members (23) M.P.

n, M.P.

-on leave) Cde.

Agnes W. Bend-Kirto Cde.

A.K.

Habibulla, M.P.

Cde.

E�H.A.

Fowler, M.P.

Cde.

Joyce Gill-I·)inge, Cde.

M. Ally, M.F.

Cde.

Elaine B. Davidson, M.F.

Cde.

H� Doobay, M .P.

Cde.

Joyce M. Munroe, J.P., M.P.

Cde.

Edwina Melville, M.F.

(Absent Cde • .Arona Ally, M.P.

Cde.

L.R.

Arthur, M.P.


Cde.J�R.L.

Boveli-Drake Cde.

N. Calistro, M.P.

Cde.

F.M.

Cumberbatch Cde.

M�I, Deen, M.P.

Cde.

Cyrilda Cde.

Edith Deygoo, M.P.

Cde.

Clarice Cde.

C.L.

Geddes, M.P.

Cde.

G. Marshall ,.

M.P.

Cde.

B� Persaud, .f.P •• M .P.

Cde.

E�W.

Trotman, Cde.

K. Sankar, M.s., M.P.

(Absent -on leave) A. Edwards, M.P.

M.P.

(Absent A. DeJesus, s, M.P.

,.

M.P.

M.P.

-on leave) Member *Non-elected 3 • Members_J.rom the National Congress of Local Democartic Organs (2) Cde.
E. Mohamed� M.P.

(Absent) Cde.

Rose I. Semple.

M.P.

Members�frqm the Reg!onal Democratic Councils (10).

Cdo.

Nellie R. Charles, Cdo.

R. Bishop, M.S., M.r�.

(Region Cde.

Bhagmatee Berbice) Latchminarayan, M.P.

(Region No.

4 -Demerara/ Mahaica) No.

5 -Mahaica/ M.P.

(Region No.

7 -Cuyuni/Mazaruni) (Absent) No.

2 -Pomeroon/Supenaam) Cdo.

Y. Khan, M.P.

(Region Cde.

Enid E. Abrahams, H.S.,.

Essequibo Islands/wost Cdc.

I.

Ally, M .P.

(Region Cdo.

B.L.

Dominga,, M.P.

(Region Cdo.

S.I.


McGnrrell, Cde.

M. Stephens Essequibrn) , M.F.

(Region (Absent) M.P.

(Region J •.

P., M.l'.

(Region No.

3 - Demerara) No.

6 - East Berbice/Coren tyne) No.

1.

- Barima/Waini) No.

8 - Potara/Siparu No.

9 -Upper Takutu/upper ni) (Absent) Cde.

J oycelyn Thom-Lindie, M.P.

(Region No.

10 -Upper Demerara/Berbice) (Absent} Members of the Minority (11) (i) People's Progress ive Party (s) Mjporitt Leader (1) Cde.
Dr. C. Jagan, M.P., Minority Leader Deputy Speaker (1) Cclo.

R.D.

Persaud, 1 of the ., M.P., Deputy Speaker J.1 National Assembly Cdo.

Janet Jagan.

M.P.

Cdo.

c.c.

Collymore, M.P.

Cde.

S.1',.

Mohamed, M.f'., Minority Cdo.

H. Nokta, M.P.

Cde.

I. Basir, M.P.

Cdo.

C.C.

Belgrave, M.P.

(Absent) Chief Whip Ynited Force (2) Mr. M.F.

Singhr C.C.H., Mr. M.A.

Abraham, M.P.

(Absent -on leave) J.P., M.F.

(Absent -on leave) (iii)Working People's Alliance (1) Mr. E. Kwayana, M.P.
(Absent -on leave) OFFICERS Cde.

F.A.

Narain, Assembly Cde.

I. Hartman, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly A.A., Clerk of the National • The Clerk read Prayers.

,AN1f,9UNCEMENTS BY THE SFEAKER (i)Leaye The Speaker announced that leave had beua granted to - (a)Cdea.

Jackson.

Sharma.

Sankar and Mr. M.F.

Singh for that sitting, (b)Cde.

De.

Jesus for the period 27th February to (c) (d) 6th March, 1987J Cde.
Latchminarayan March, 1987 and Mr, Kwayana for the period 19th February to 10th March, 1987, for cne month from 15th .

.

(ii) Congratulations \ � . '

to former IP£2sra pf Parliament gn National Awards The SpeakQr said that in the recent announcement Awards made on the occasion of the Seventeenth Anniversary Republic two National Awards.

person• who were former Members of Parliament were granted or National or the (i)Cde.
Neville Jamea Bissember, Attorney-at-Law who was a Member or .Parliament from 5th October, 1961 to 6th June, 1973, was awarded or Honour for quality IUld beyond the normal call of duty in the struggle field of politics.
CroWJlll the Cacique- high service of an exoeptionally and in the independence for political 1 Aguiar's D D' .Agui alr', Oha:i.rman, Co­ ,, Banka DIH Limited, (i:i) Mr, Peter Stanislaus Managing Director Industries and Holdings;, who was a Member of Parliament from 5th October 1969, was awarded service the- no:mial in the field of industrial workers pioneering in the field of private enterprise.
1961 to 28th February, the Oacique Crown of Honour for call of duty in national of an exceptionally and widespread developaent and in high quality and beyond shar& membership life, especially The-Speaker on hie CRl behalf and on behalf of the Members of the Assembly, extended and best wishes to those two persons.

and had placed on records their congratulations PRESENTATION OF P APER S ,AND REPORTS 1�Tc .- 5.
By the Minister of Minister of Finance: Regional Develorm ent, on behalf of the Reports (7) of the Auditor General on the Accounts of the Ma.ha.ica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural years 1979-1985.

Autt1or:L�; for the Developnent (ST: 25/2/2/13)(Circulated) TO MINISTERS QUESTIONS Ncq, 9 to 14 As Mr. Kwayana was absent on leave, the Questions at Nos.

9 to 14 (Notice Papers Nos.

41 te, 45 anu 48) were deferred.

No.

J.2 -Rental �f Belfield House Cde.


Janet Jagrup; asked the Prime Minister question: the following QUE.STION� (i) Is it true that the Government has rentec:l House� East Coast Demerara, frol!ll Ms Viola Burnham, for the use of Belfield the owner, Mr. L.F.S.

Burnham up to the time of his death in August, 1985?

(ii)If so, will the Prime Minister state what the rental was and for what period it was paid?
(iii)Will the Frime Minister state the total sum of money expended and other developnents on improving at Belfield security House?

(Notice Paper No.

49 published 1986-05-30) The Prime Minister gave the following reply:- ANSWER;-(i)No,.

(ii)Not relevant.

(iii)It is not the practice to cive information relatod.

to security arrange!ienta.

No.

16 Preservation of 5ody of Late President of Guvana Cde.
Janet Jagon gsked the Minister of Finance question: the following QUESTION: (i) Will the Minister say what send the boJy of the late President, Mr. L.F.S.

Burnham, the total to and from Moscow, and what will be cost of the preservation is the cost t� process?

(ii)What will be the cost of building the MausoleUllll and estimated costs.?

annual maintenance (Notice Paper No.

50 published 1986-05-30) 6.

The Prime Minister gave the following reply:- and people of the Union of ANSWSi!
: (i) The Government Soviet Socialist enough to inform the Governme operatives Republic of Guyana that there will be no charges preservation Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

for transportation of the Body of the Late Presiden have been nt of the Co­ Republic gracious and t (ii)In so far as the coat of the Mausoleum is concerned the present There is no estimate for the annual maintenance but this is to be very minimal.

expected coat is $2,457,248.77.

at this point of time Nb.


1,7 - Good Shepherd Primary School and Headteacher's House, Barima River Ode, No,ta asked the Vice-President, Development, and Deputy Prime Minister Education and Social the following question: QUESTION: (i) Is the Minister aware that the Good Shepherd Primary School, Barima River, North West District, is in bad shape, with practically no walls, and that the compound is flocded every high tide with, about t wo feet of water?

(ii.)
(ii.)

Further, is tha Minister aware that the Headteacher's house for the, said school has no kitchen and that a room in the school is used for that purpose?

(iii)Will the Minister say how soon t ;h th� house will be school and Headteacher's repaired and the compound flooding?

from, protected following The Vice-Preside reply:- (Notice Paper No.
51 published nt, Education and Social Development, gave the 1986-05-30) .ANSWER:-(i) Is it true that the Goel Stept��� Primary SOhool is in need of repaira and the compound is subject to flooding.

Having been awar� of this service last year, the Region which has responsibility for building school as one of those to be rehabilit ated in 1987.

Work is to be started and maintenance listed this lllaortl:,.
the fact that the arises from Flooding embankment around the school compound needs to be elevated to keep out the high tide.

This work is earmarked for quarter of 1987.

Residents have indicated this venture through self-help efforts.

the first of the community their desire to contribut� to The Regional to monitor the progress of Education these works.
Officer has been requested 7 • (ii)It is also true that when the house which accommodated the former headmaster a section of the school was used for the preparation been assigned to house in the community .. the school.

He lives in his own of meals.

Another headmaster has since deter-:.c.rated, {iii) Question three (iii) has been answered by responses to the first two questions.

10, 18 caa.
10, 18 caa.

Nokta asked a Supplementary ReP§irs 12 T & HD Stelling At Wakenaanp p,ge1 Nokta asked the Minister Works the following question: Question.

of Communications and pUESTION: (i) Will the Minister say how long ago work on repairs Department and how to the Transport and Harbours Stelling at Wakenaa.m commenced, soon will the work be completed?

(ii.)

Will the Minister also say how much money was voted for the job1 how much and whether voted provision?
it will be completed within the has been spent (Notice Paper No.

52 published 1986-05-30) The Minister reply: of Communications and W orks gave the following ,ANSWER: (i) Th& rahabilitation of Wakenaa.m Stelling in September, to be completed commenced estimated April1 1987 according to the latest projections given by the contractors.
around the 15th 1985 and is now for the works to be was $981,440, but due (ii)The original estimate executed at Wakenaam to the recent wage increases in price for materials subsequently date $1.1 million has been indications within the amount provided for.

the e�ti.1ate a.mended to $1.2 million.

exi:ended and all was To are that the works would be completed and the escalation Ng.

l.9 -Ley; on M.V.
l.9 -Ley; on M.V.

Lukana ni 9de1 Nokta asked the Minister of Communications Works the following question: and 9UE§T!ON: {i) ls the Minister unaware thatthe Transport and Harbours Department Ferry Boat, M.V.

Lukanani ,, which plies the Parika-Leguan sprang a leak on April 15� 1986, in mid-stream estimated situation 250 passengers of near panic?

service, a with an on board, creating s • (ii)Ia he aware that, because the vessel has no, pump the water out by a bucket brigade?
being shipped had to be baled (iii)Will the Minister say - (a)how many life jackets were· a-; e.ilable at the time, and (b)whether are or not reeular made to ensure the vessel's Paper No.

53 published (Notice of Communications inspections and Works gave the following 1986-05-30) sea-worthiness?

The Minister reply:- ANSWER: I was so notified by the General Manager - Department.
I because However, Harbours the situation Transport & would like it to be known that they were 120 rs on boa.rd the vessel and not 250 as passenge was Cde.

Nokta claims.

Further under control the bilge pum.111 �hich on board any is a normal piece of equipment vessel was able to take care of the amount of water the vessel was taking in.

This afterwards beached the situation of leak.

In order to dry out the section bail out this section.
bucket brigade in order to effectively while the vessel was underway.

to effect repairs, it wiaa necessary being formed to bail the vessel was to find out take care of the water at Leguan in order I am unaware- vessel of any to At the time of the incident jackets, 9 life buoys and 6 life rafts on bc:.s.r�� there were 122 life surveys Annual hull & Machinery by the Transport are in dry deck.
Presently dock and is expected the, 24th March, 1987� & Harbours out are carried nt when vessels Departme the vessel is in dry to be returned to service on No, 20 -Rental of Buildir,:� for Guyana Cammi ttee fo.-r Solidarity and Peace The Minority Lead,� asked the Prime Minister question: the following QUESTION: say whether at 274A Peter Rose Will the Prime Minister situate of the building Street� Queenstown, Guyana Committee for Solidarit being met fromiPublic what Head and Sub-head Georgeto wn, for use by the y and Peace is if so, from Funds and, in the Estimates?
the rental 54 published (Not ice F'a_per No.

1986-05-30) The Prime Minister gave the following reply:­ A-�§WER: The rental for the building to, is not being met from Public Funds.

The other questions therefore are irrel.svm/ri.

referred No.
referred No.

21 -Importation of Cloth The Minority Leader asked the Minister of Trade and Tourism the following question: QUESTION: (i) Will the Minister say whether or not it is true that Ms Cheryl Lopes was given a licence to import 50,000 yards of cloth per yard (ends) at approximately and that the cloth was sold to Guyana Stores at GS56.00 in December, US�l.00 1985?

(ii)Will the Minister any foreign currency was released for this transaction?
say whether (iii)If so, what was the actual amount of foreign currency involved?

(Notice Paper No.

55 published 1986-05-31) The Minister of Trade and Tourism gave the following reply:­ ANSWER: (i) The records of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism de not show that any import licence Cheryl Lopes to import as alleged question for cloth was ever· given to or even at all.

in the (ii)and (iii) As a result parts are not relevant.

of the question (ii) and (iii) No.


22 - Tabling of Trade Agreements The Minority Leader asked the Deputy Prime Minister, and Development, the fol: ,,Tting question; Pla�ning QUESTION: When will the I'1inister table in the National Assembly recently the three Trade .Agreements signed in Carccas, Venzeuela, with - (i)the Venezuelan M .. \RAVEN oil company S.A. for the supply of petroleum products.
( ii)the Interamericana De Alumina (INTERALUMINA) under which Guyana will supply directly Venezuela metallurgical and 1987, and of during 1986 grade bauxite ta quantities substantial (iii) the Venezuelan: Investment Fund (VIF) and the Bank of Guyana - a deposit designed to facilitate (a) and (b) above?

agreement (Notice Paper No.


56 published 1986-05-30) 10 • The Deputy Prime Minister, Planning and Develor,ment gave: the follew:1.rlg reply:- NJ§DRt The Deputy Prime Minister, Planning and Developnent does not intend to table in any of the three Assembly, the Rational Agreements mentioned.

business previously those agreements contain in the Assembly, are not Contracts between As explained the Trade .Agreements two Governments.
They comprise straightforward commercial between arrangements commercial companies.

As is normal in such situations of detail of business considered Commercial companie preserve the privacy structures competitiva exist and prosper.

in the context milieu in which they thrive to of their cost and revenue of the fiercely proprietary s correctly prefer to a wealth information normally by commercial business.
be unethical As a matter of principle it would to disclose about a information proprietary company either public sector or private and especially about a foreign company such as MA.RAVEN, even in the circumstance Government facilitating the conclusion business transactions.

has performed of standard the function of sector where the The Minority Leader asked a supplementary question.
ST�EMENT PI HilfWW The Prime Minister made a statement on the problem of Thallium and advised that Government has imposed Supphate contamination the importation internationa identify available proportions and eliminate evidence of Thallium Sulphate and with the co-operation l and other Agencies it is taking sources of contamination.

indicates that this problem all necessary steps to He said that all is not of epidemic and there is no need for undue alarm.
a ban on of In his presentation the Prime Minister are expected in Guyana to help in solving informed the Assembly specialists that more medical the problem.

Rl!QpESTS FOR l§AVE :J:9 t,;QVE 1,'HE ADJOQRNgtg'l' OF THE ASSEMBLY 21 MA,TTERS Pf URGEUl: PUBLIC IMPQRT.WCE l§FINITE Tha.111um eu1ph§,ta contQm�nai12p Cde.

Janet Jagan sought leave to move the adjournment of the A.ssembl.T for the purpose of discussing Sulphate contamination.

the claim.
the claim.

a matter which dealt with With the lewe of the Assembly the Speaker allowed Thallium PtrnLIC DU§JP.� 11.

MOTION FOj,LAJ)JOURNMENT - DEFINITE MATTERS OF URGENT FUBLIC IMPORT AUGE I.b�.l.� Sulphate Contamination on the question Cde.

Janet Jagan moved the adjoUI'Dllent of the Assembly and spoke contamination.

of Thallium Sulphate Cde.

Reepu Daman Persaud seconded the motion.

The Minister in the Ministry of .Agriculture, Cde aeepu Daman Persaud and the Minister matter.
in the Ministry of Health, spoke on the /@OUR�l, At 3.47 p.m. on a motion by the Minister of Regional Development, the Assembly was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

S.NARAIN f' Speaker PARLIAMENT CFFICE, Public Duild.ings, George town.

1987-03-18 •