Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694838600118.pdf (Guyana)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2012) OF THE TENTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA HELD AT 2.00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, 25TH APRIL, 2012 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.

Ganga Persaud, M.P., Minister of Local Government and Regional Development 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., Chief Whip Mr. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.

Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Mr. Komal Chand, C.C.H., J.P., M.P.

(Region No.

3 – Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) *Non-Elected Minister /…3 3.

Bibi S. Shadick, 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.
(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.

Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, M.P.

Ms Amna Ally, M.P.

Mr.

Basil Williams, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Mrs. Volda Lawrence, M.P.

(Region No.

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

Mrs. Deborah Backer, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly **Non-Elected Member /…4 4.

Mr. Carl B. Greenidge, M.P.


Mr. Joseph F. Harmon, M.S.M., M.P.

Mr. Keith Scott, M.P.

Ms Dawn Hastings, M.P.

(Region No.

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

Ms Vanessa Kissoon, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Mr. James A.

Bond, M.P.

Mr. Ronald A. Bulkhan, M.P.


Mr. Jaipaul Sharma, M.P.

(Region No.

4 – Demerara/Mahaica) Mrs. Mabel Baveghems, M.P.

Mr. John Adams, M.P.

(Region No.

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

Mr. Richard Allen, M.P.

(Region No.

1 – Barima/Waini) Mr. Renis Morian, M.P.

(Region No.

10 – Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Miss Annette N. Ferguson, M.P.

/…5 (iii)Members of The Alliance For Change (7) 5.

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 Mrs. Lilawtie Coonjah, Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly COMMENCEMENT OF SITTING The Sitting commenced at 2.15 p.m. PRAYERS The Clerk read the prayers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2012 The Speaker announced that the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2012 will be dealt with at the end of that day’s sitting.

/…6 6.

PUBLIC BUSINESS - (i) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MOTION BUDGET SPEECH 2012 – MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 2012 The Assembly resolved itself into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2012.
(Moved by the Minister of Finance on 2012-03-30) 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 Mr. Carl Greenidge moved the following amendments which were put and carried on the following division: “ Agency Code 01 – Office of the President Line Item 011 – Administrative Services Account Code and Description: 6321 – Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organisations be reduced to 707,149 The Government Information Agency and the National Communications Network be reduced to 1 dollar, respectively.” FOR AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud /…7 7.
Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.

Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.
Bond Mr. Baksh Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.

Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy /…8 8.
Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Mr. Hinds Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ Line Item 011- Administrative Services under Current Expenditure was then passed as amended.

Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 4.45 p.m., the sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 5.50 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: 01 – OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Current Expenditure 012 Presidential Advisory (Cabinet and Other Services) /…9 Mr. Carl Greenidge withdrew his amendments under Line Item 012 Presidential Advisory; Account Code and Description 6116 – Contracted Employees and 6284 – Other, respectively.

9.
9.

Thereafter Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan moved the following amendments which were put and carried on the following division: “Line Item 012 – Presidential Advisory; Account Code and Description - 6116 – Contract employees and 6284 – Other be reduced to 147 million dollars and 24.2 million dollars, respectively.” FOR AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.
Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.

Bond Mr. Baksh Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster /…10 10.
Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.
Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Mr. Hinds Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ Thereafter Agency Code 012- Presidential Advisory (Cabinet and Services) under Current Expenditure was passed as amended.
01 – OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Current Expenditure 014 Public Policy and Planning Capital Expenditure 011 Administrative Services /…11 11.
Mr. Carl Greenidge moved the following amendments which were put and carried on the following division: “Agency Code 01 – Office of the President Line Item 011 – Administrative Services Account code and Description - 1212000 Information Communication Technology be reduced to 6,580,000 3400700 Government Information Agency be reduced to 0.0001 4502100 National Communications Network be reduced to 0.0001 1700100 Minor Works be reduced to 0.0001” FOR Mr. T. Williams AGAINST Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.
Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.

Bond Mr. Baksh /…12 12.


Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.
Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger Mr. Hinds _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ Thereafter Line Item 011 – Administrative Services under Capital Expenditure was passed as amended.
09 - PUBLIC AND POLICE SERVICE COMMISSIONS Current Expenditure 091 Public and Police Service Commissions Capital Expenditure 091 Public and Police Service Commissions /…13 13.
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 Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan moved the following amendments which were put and carried on the following division: “Agency Code – 11 Guyana Elections Commission Line Item 112 – Elections Administration Account Code and Description – 6293 - Refreshments and Meals be reduced to 27 million dollars 6294- Other be reduced to 403 million dollars” FOR AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.
Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick /…14 14.

Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.
Bond Mr. Baksh Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.
Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Mr. Hinds Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ /…15 15.

Thereafter Line Item 112 – Election Administration under Current Expenditure was passed as amended.
Capital Expenditure 111 Elections Commission Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF SITTING At 8.28 p.m., the sitting was suspended for refreshments.

RESUMPTION OF SITTING At 9.04 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 Headquarters Capital Expenditure 531 Defence Headquarters /…16 16.
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 Assembly resumed SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 11 At 10.00 p.m., the Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs moved a motion to Suspend Standing No.
11 to enable the Assembly to continue with the consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure for 2012 uninterrupted.

Ms Amna Ally moved and Mrs. Deborah Backer seconded an amendment for extension from six (6) days to seven (7) days for the consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure.

The Minister of Finance spoke to the amendment.

/…17 17.
/…17 17.

Thereafter the amendment moved by Ms Amna Ally was put and carried on the following division: FOR AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.

Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.
Bond Mr. Baksh Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford /…18 18.

Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.
Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Mr. Hinds Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ 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: 02 – OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Current Expenditure 021 Prime Minister’s Secretariat Mr. Carl Greenidge withdrew his amendment on Line Item 021-Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Account Code and Description 6321 – Guyana Power and Light.
Thereafter Mr. Khremaj Ramjattan moved the following amendment which was put and carried on the following division: “Agency Code 02 – Office of the Prime Minister Line Item – 021 Prime Minister’s Secretariat Account Code and Description: 6321- Guyana Power and Light be reduced to 5,000” /…19 19.

FOR AGAINST Mr. T. Williams Mr. Jafarally Ms Marcello Mr. Damon Dr. Ramayya Dr. Persaud Mrs. Garrido-Lowe Rev.
Gilbert Mrs. Hughes Dr. Mahadeo Mr. Nagamootoo Mr. Seeraj Mr. Ramjattan Mr. Neendkumar Ms Ferguson Mr. Lumumba Mr. Morian Ms Shadick Mr. Allen Mr. Chand Mr. Jones Mrs. Chandarpal Mr. Adams Mr. Nadir Ms Baveghems Ms Teixeira Mr. Sharma Bishop Edghill Mr. Bulkan Mr. Whittaker Mr.
Bond Mr. Baksh Ms Kissoon Mrs. Campbell-Sukhai Mr. Trotman Ms Webster Ms Selman Mr. G. Persaud Mr. Allicock Ms Manickchand Ms Wade Mr. Benn Mr. Felix Dr. Anthony Ms Hastings Mr. Ali Mr. Scott Dr. Ramsarran Mr. Harmon Dr. Westford /…20 20.

Mr. Greenidge Mr. R Persaud Mrs.


Backer Dr. Singh Dr. Norton Mrs. Rodrigues-Birkett Mrs. Lawrence Mr. Nandlall Mr. B. Williams Dr. Ramsammy Ms Ally Mr. Rohee Dr. Roopnarine Mr. Hinds Brigadier (Ret’d) Granger _________________________ ________________________ 33 32 _________________________ _________________________ Thereafter Line Item 021-Prime Minister’s Secretariat under Current Expenditure was passed as amended.
Capital Expenditure 021 Prime Minister's Secretariat 07 - PARLIAMENT OFFICE Current Expenditure 071 National Assembly Capital Expenditure 071 National Assembly Assembly resumed /…21 21.

ADJOURNMENT At 10.56 p.m., the Assembly was adjourned to 2.00 p.m., on Thursday, 26th April, 2012.

……………………………………………….. HON.

RAPHAEL G.C.

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

25th April, 2012.