Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694871013618.pdf (Guyana)
PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA FOR THE WEEK MONDAY, 24th February, 2014 - FRIDAY, 28th February, 2014 Monday, 24th February, 2014 1 Tuesday, 24th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees *SPECIAL SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL2012- BILL NO.17/2012 AND THE TELECOMMUNICATION BILL 2012- BILL NO.

18/2012 TIME: 6.00 p.m. VENUE: Committee Room No.

1, Committees Division, Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.
BUSINESS: I.

Correction and confirmation of Minutes of the 5th and 6th Meetings held on February 18 and 20, 2014 respectively; II.

Matters arising; and III.

To continue consideration of the Telecommunications Bill 2012 – Bill No.

18/2012.

*Not open to the public 2 Wednesday, 26th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees 1.

* Committee on Appointments TIME: 3.00 p.m. VENUE: Committee Room No.
1, Committees Division, Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

BUSINESS: I.

Call to Order; II.

Announcements; III.

Correspondence; IV.

Confirmation of Minutes of the 18th Meeting held on Wednesday, 11th December, 2013; V. Matters Arising; VI.

To recommit the process for the appointment of members to the Public Service Commission; *Not open to the public 3 VII.
To consider the Draft Motions and the list of entities to be consulted to nominate members to be appointed to the:  Rights of the Child Commission; and  Women & Gender Equality Commission.

2.

*SPECIAL SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTERING THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM (AMENDMENT) BILL 2013- BILL NO.

22/2013 TIME: 5.00 p.m. VENUE: Committee Room No.

1, Committees Division, Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

BUSINESS: I.
BUSINESS: I.

Correction and confirmation of Minutes of the 9th, 10th ,11th and 12th Meetings held on 9th, 10th 11th and 19th February 2014, respectively; 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.
13 of 2009.

*Not open to the public 4 Thursday, 27th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly TIME: 2.00 p.m. VENUE: Parliament Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

BUSINESS: PUBLIC BUSINESS (i) GOVERNMENT’S BUSINESS BILLS – Second Readings 1.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 – Bill No.
4/2014 published on 2014-01-29 The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs to move the second reading of the following Bill: A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

(Read a first time on 2014-02-10) 2.

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (FREE ENTRY OF SKILLED NATIONALS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 2014 – Bill No.
5/2014 published on 2014-02-05 5 The Minister of Foreign Affairs to move the second reading of the following Bill: A Bill intituled AN ACT to amend the Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act.

(Read a first time on 2014-02-10) 3.

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 BILLS – Committee and Third Reading 6 (ii) PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS BILLS – Second Reading THE MARRIED PERSONS (PROPERTY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 4.

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.

(Read a first time on 2013-06-13) MOTIONS 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; 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 7 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) 5.

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; 8 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; AND WHEREAS the Critchlow Labour College now offers a significantly reduced curriculum thereby limiting the options of those desiring higher education, 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) 9 7.

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.

8.

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; 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; 10 through National the Government of Guyana AND WHEREAS 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 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 drives/ SUVs / pick-ups transporting BBQ Grills, coolers $4000 50-seater bus 30-seater bus Large Trucks $12,800 $7,200 $13,600 11 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 charges Reduced toll charges for the month of August/no freight charge Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick-ups SUVs/Pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick-ups pulling horse buggies Four-wheel drive/SUVs/Pick-ups transporting BBQ grills, coolers G$4000 G$4000 G$3000 G$3000 and no freight charge for tourism and pleasure activity G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge G$4000 G$3000 and no freight charge for tourism and pleasure activity 50-seater buses 30-seater buses G$12,800 G$7,200 Large trucks G$13,600 G$9,000 G$6,000 G$10,000 12 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 responsible for Public Works to make the following Toll Order: the Minister Category Motor Cars Mini Buses Motor Cycles Present Rates Proposed Rates $2,200 $2,200 $200 $1,000 $1,000 Free $3,000 $3,000 Four-wheel drive/ SUVs/Pick-ups $4,000 SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities $4,000 Four-wheel drives, SUVs and pick-ups pulling horse buggies Four-wheel drives/ SUVs / pick- transporting BBQ Grills, ups $4,000 $3,000 $4,000 $3,000 13 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) 9.

APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE THE TORTURE OF PERSONS BY THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE BETWEEN 2006 AND 2013 Brig.
(Ret’d) David Granger, M.S.S., M.P., Leader of the Opposition, to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana prescribes, at Article 141, that “No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment;” AND WHEREAS it has been widely reported that persons were tortured by members of the Guyana Police Force between the years 2006 and 2013, inclusive; 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;” BE IT RESOLVED: 14 That the National Assembly expresses its sympathy with the victims of torture; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls upon the President of the Co- operative Republic of Guyana, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, to appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into the torture of persons by members of the Guyana Police Force and to make recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such torture.
(Notice Paper No.

281 (M 97 Opp 57) published on 2014-02-05) 10.

APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE THE SHOOTING OF CITIZENS BY THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE ON 6TH DECEMBER, 2011 IN GEORGETOWN Brig.
(Ret’d) David Granger, M.S.S., M.P., Leader of the Opposition, to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana prescribes, at Article 141, that “No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment;” AND WHEREAS it has been widely reported that several persons were shot with pellets by members of the Guyana Police Force at about 10.55 hrs.
on 6th December, 2011 in or near Hadfield Street in the city of Georgetown; 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;” BE IT RESOLVED: 15 That the National Assembly expresses its sympathy with the victims of the shooting which occurred on 6th December, 2011; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the National Assembly calls upon the President of the Co- operative Republic of Guyana, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, to appoint a commission of inquiry to inquire into injury of persons by shooting and to make recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such shooting.
(Notice Paper No.

282 (M 98 Opp 58) published on 2014-02-07) 16 Meetings of Parliamentary Committees NIL Friday, 28th February, 2014 Sitting of the National Assembly NIL Meetings of Parliamentary Committees Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services TIME: 2.00 p.m. VENUE: Parliament Chamber, Public Buildings, Brickdam, BUSINESS: Georgetown.
(i) Correction and confirmation of Minutes of the 9th Meeting held on 31st January, 2014; (ii) Matters arising; (iii) Presentation on the Prevention of Noise Nuisance in Society and the Interpretation of the Music and Dancing Licences Act, Chapter 23:03 and the Law Revision (Amendment) Act 1997 by the following Agencies:  The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs;  The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works;  The Chief Fire Officer, Guyana Fire Services;  The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water; 17  The City Engineer, Mayor and City Council; and  The Director, Environmental Protection Agency; (iv) To consider and adopt the Sixth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services; and (v) Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee.
---------------------------------- Any Other Business Parliament Office, Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown.

25th February, 2014.

18