ADDRESS BY THE HON. PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT MR MOSES V. NAGAMOOTOO IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Friday, August 21, 2015

AS regards the Office of the Prime Minister which appears as a separate budget agency, I wish to report that we have decided that for the rest of this year we will take a frugal approach so the billion dollar budget voted last year has now been reduced to just over 375 million capital and current – inclusive of subventions to State media.

In these months the Department of Public Information in my ministry has undertaken to produce a white paper on public information policy.

The rationale for this is that Government should disseminate public information on what it is doing through newspaper, radio, television and social media that is not partisan but national. In the face of national threats the Department of Public Information will also map out strategies to extend radio and television to hinterland regions. We also propose to review all licenses for radio and television which have been arbitrarily and unlawfully given out to friends, family and cronies and to regularise the broadcasting landscape. This includes the return of the television channel to the people of Linden and activation of radio located at Turkeyen to but the University of Guyana on air and prospect of community radios being established in rural and hinterland Guyana.

We also plan to extend signals of Radio Paiwomak to broadcast in indigenous languages and to better utilise the learning channel.

We hope to streamline the public information services which have all be saddled with huge debts due to political manipulation and abuse. So much of the allocations in my ministry are to recapitalise and assist the public information media to get back on their feet.

Much has been said and distorted about our bold 100 Day promise to the Guyanese people in our manifesto. In all, we made 21 of these promises and with three days to spare IT IS TIME to report that we have kept our promises to the Guyanese electorate.

Some results will be triggered by this budget.

PROMISE NUMBER 1
1. Reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll – DONE!
Though former Minister Robeson Benn is on record as saying it cannot and will not happen effective from Sept 1st toll for passenger cars and buses will be reduced by 13.6% from $2,200 to $1,900 and there will be a 10% reduction for all other categories of vehicles.

PROMISE NUMBER 2
2. Significant salary increases for Government workers – DONE!

The Basic Minimum Wage increased as of July 1st by 26.4%, from $39,450 to $50,000. All other public servants are set to receive a 5% increase plus a $5,000 monthly top up. Though this is only a start the salary increases have been hailed and welcomed by the workers and labour movement.

Hourly rates for long neglected school sweepers and cleaners have been adjusted upwards
PROMISE NUMBER 3
3. Measures to ease impact of VAT – DONE

* The phased reduction of VAT is delayed pending report from a Tax Reform Committee.
* Our Government seeks to plug tax loopholes in exemptions & concessions totalling 55 BILLION dollars last year to friends and cronies of the former regime.

* In the meanwhile the Coalition Government has exempted from VAT more essential food and basic consumer items that will save consumers a total of 680 MILLION dollars.

This decreases the impact of VAT on poor working people.

PROMISE NUMBER 4

4. Significant increase in Old Age pensions – DONE!

* All Old Age Pensioners will receive a 30% increase from $13,125 to $17,000
* Public Disability Benefits increased by 10% from $5,900 to $6,500 as we help to provide care for our differently abled brothers and sisters.

PROMISE NUMBER 5
5. Reduction of the Presidents’ Pension benefits – DONE! DONE! DONE!

A new law was passed in this National Assembly which trimmed the benefits attached to pensions of former presidents to prevent abuse of state funds. No more must a former president get an uncapped number of vehicles, guards, maids, gardeners, trips overseas with or without spouses, electricity, telephone, water and duty free concessions.
(No more should a former President feel entitled to 14 AK47 at his home for personal protection)

PROMISE NUMBER 6

6. Establishment of passport and birth certificate licensing offices in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden. – BEING DONE!

* Weekly distribution of passports has been regularised with centres operating in Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Parika, Anna Regina, Bartica and Lethem.

* Work is in progress on birth certificate and licensing offices

PROMISE NUMBER 7

7. Return of television station to Lindeners – DONE!

A television channel was guaranteed for Reg. 10 and technical arrangements are being finalised.

PROMISE NUMBER 8
8. Waiving of duties on fuel, tools and small scale mining equipment – DONE!

• Eligible gold miners will be exempted from the payment of customs duties on fuel, matting, ATVs, jack hammer drills, flex hoses, expanding metals, pumps, pump housings, impellers, shafts and engines.
• In addition the Honourable Minister of Finance announced an exemption of custom duties on fishing boats, spare parts, fishing equipment and supplies for use in seafood processing and aquaculture industry
• In addition the Honourable Minister of Finance announced a removal of custom duties and excise tax on motor vehicles and ATVs to be bought by Toshaos in approved Amerindian communities
• And in addition the Honourable Minister of Finance announced that eligible ranks in the disciplined services will qualify for exemption of excise taxes on their purchase of motor vehicles
• And in addition, the price at the pump for diesel and gasoline has been reduced with immediate effect.
PROMISE NUMBER 9

9. Early holding of Local Government Elections – DONE!

• All legislative reforms have been completed for early holding of Local Government Elections
• These elections, not held since 1994, will be held by December 7th 2015.

PROMISE NUMBER 11
10. Establishment of the Public Procurement Commission – BEING DONE!

The APNU+AFC Coalition is ready, and has proposed persons to sit on the Commission. This process can be completed only when the Opposition names their members and the approval by 2/3 majority in the National Assembly is secured. When established there will be introduced under law fairness in the procurement process to eliminate political interference and wholesale corruption that had become pervasive under the former government.

PROMISE NUMBER 11

11. Establishment of National Cane Workers and Cane Farmers Conference – DONE!

• The first historic conference was held on August 14th, 2015 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.
ACTION POINTS:
1. Consider the establishment of an Agricultural Development Bank to offer financial assistance at affordable rates to Cane Farmers.
2. Regularise punt rates across estates.
3. Regularise payment parameters for Cane Farmers which varies from estate to estate.

• A roadmap for greater participation in a private sector driven sugar industry was considered.
• Cane farmers are resolved to rescue the sugar industry to which a further $12 BILLION bailout has been committed by Govt. This will bring to $57 BILLION the amount of bailout for the sugar industry which was brought to a state of bankruptcy under the former Government, not to mention the additional $47 BILLION spent on the Skeldon Sugar Factory which should have functioned on full steam since 2011 but has grounded to a halt due to mismanagement, incompetence and corruption.

PROMISE NUMBER 12

12. Establishment of a National Rice Farmers and Rice Millers Conference. – DONE

• The first ever National Rice Conference was held on July 24th, 2015 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.
• Participants outlined strategies to face challenges in the rice sector.
• Government has since approved the transfer of $23 BILLION in payments to rice farmers

• National Rice Farmers Conference Action Points
• 1. GRDB will work along with Rice Research Institutes internationally to build capacity which will result in the use of improved varieties and increased yields throughout the industry.
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• 2. The building of capacity of extension officers through the transfer of research methodologies and practices to aid in the improvement in agronomic practices across the industry.
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• 3. The sourcing of new markets along with the move to new value added products.
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• 4. Consider the establishment of an Agricultural Development Bank to offer financial assistance at affordable rates to Rice Farmers and Millers.

• In the meantime Government has approved transfer of $23 BILLION in payment to rice farmers which became due after the former Government raided and diverted Petro Caribe funds.

This APNU+AFC Government has come to the rescue of our rice farmers.
PROMISE NUMBER 13
13. Investigation into Corruption – BEING DONE!

• Government has commissioned several forensic audits to uncover revenue leakages and corrupt practices in state entities and has established a State Asset Recovery Unit to retrieve vehicles, land & other assets that were illegally transferred to officials and their friends.
• The hunt is still on in one instance to retrieve $600 MILLION dollars which was transferred from one ministry to another and withdrawn IN CASH from the Bank of Guyana.
• Government is also considering drafts for a comprehensive Anti-Corruption Law.

PROMISE NUMBER 14
14. Establishment of Task Forces on Crime and Security and on Road Safety – BEING DONE!

• The National Security Committee has been reactivated and holds weekly meetings to assess the state of public security.
• A plan on crime fighting and security is being implemented to provide an increase in mobile patrols in rural and interior areas. Come September 1st the Police under an amnesty will target illegal firearms in possession of unlicensed holders. At the same time, to further combat piracy against our fishermen there will be both aviation and maritime patrols.
• In mining areas more ATVs and boats will be deployed for use by Police ranks.
• The Commissioner of Police has submitted to Vice President and Min. Khemraj Ramjattan a draft plan on Crime & Security
• Consultations are being concluded to set up a Task Force on Road Safety

PROMISE NUMBER 15
15. National Conference of Women – WILL BE DONE!

A National Conference on Gender Policy will be held next week.

PROMISE NUMBER 16
16. Establish a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians, Ministers and others holding high positions in Government public office. – DONE!

• A Code of Service for Ministers was drafted.
• A Code of Conduct for APNU+AFC Parliamentarians, Ministers and other persons holding public office has been circulated.
• The emphasis in the code is on ZERO TOLERANCE of public officials indulging in acts of misconduct.

PROMISE NUMBER 17
17. National Youth Council and Youth Policy – BEING DONE

I can report that the first draft of the National Youth Policy has been completed & the National Youth Council will be convened shortly.

PROMISE NUMBER 18

18. Indigenous Peoples Rights & Resources Conference – DONE!

The Indigenous Peoples Rights & Resources Conference is currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

President Granger has proposed a 10 point plan for the consideration of the National Toshaos Council which focuses on eradicating poverty in indigenous communities and a hinterland educational support programme under which meals, uniform, school books and transportation will be provided for school children.

Under the new Hinterland Employment and Youth Service recruits who had formerly served as CSOs could join training programmes for which stipends will be available for the duration of the training.

PROMISE NUMBER 19
19. Liberalisation of the Telecommunications and ICT sectors – BEING DONE!

Mr. Speaker negotiations are advanced to clear the way for tabling in the National Assembly of a reformed Telecommunications Act to end the monopoly in this vital sector. Our Government has placed emphasis on ICT and has announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence in information technology. Using ICT our Government hopes to revolutionise the delivery of services to our people.
In preparation for ICT innovations our Government has announced a One Laptop Per Teacher and hopes to distribute 9609 laptops valued $1.7 BILLION to educational and learning institutions nationwide.
20. Adoption of a long-term sustainable economic development plan to realise the vast potential of this country – BEING DONE !
Government has established a Task Force on Economic Planning which will outline our vision for a national development strategy, a competitive investment environment & a green economy. This Task Force is headed by renowned economist Prof. Clive Thomas.

21. Implementation of an amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. – DONE! DONE! FINALLY DONE!

Mr. Speaker a reformed legislation has been tabled by this Coalition Government in this National Assembly and a reformed bill was approved. His Excellency, President Granger has since assented to this bill and regulations are soon to be put in place to bring this act fully in force to contain dirty money from further infiltrating the economy.

Mr. Speaker the implementation of the 100 day plan reveals the quality of our no nonsense leadership style to get things done and our preparedness, from day 1, to keep these promises.

The above 21 items on our 100 day menu do not complete the picture of our diligent Government which went beyond the scope of the plan as it marshaled leadership and national resources to combat the spurious claims by Venezuela to our territory of which I spoke at the beginning of my presentation. Mr. Speaker this Government also successfully waged battles against two episodes of flooding which has seen an unleashing of the creative genius of our people who voluntarily and spontaneously participated in a national clean up drive. Further beyond the hundred day expectation was the establishment of a steering committee on Constitutional Reform, an issue which loomed large during the elections campaign.

The 100 day promises merely tested the character of this Government to deliver. I thank President Granger and all my colleagues in the Government and many public servants and ordinary citizens who helped in this effort to prove that in all of us there is a better angel and that we could be better than what we have been. However as I have ended all my budget presentations in this Parliament, I appeal for national unity and for cooperation among all parties in this house. As I extend a warm welcome to the Opposition I also offer our hand of togetherness and hope we could have bipartisan cooperation and the promotion of trust that could lead us to the political paradise generations dreamt about which is the state of national unity with an all-inclusive system of governance. I repeat this promise today and look forward, as the budget says, to a FRESH APPROACH to the good life in a green economy.

I applaud Minister Winston Jordan and Government for a thoughtful budget and I commend its full approval by this house.

I thank you.