Opposition non-cooperation over Supplementary Bill stymies Gov’t work
Written by GINA
Friday, 17 February 2012 01:18
- Finance Minister
GOVERNMENT’S much anticipated fear of gridlock, which President Donald Ramotar warned of in his address to the Tenth Parliament, yesterday came to pass in the National Assembly as it tried to find common ground with the Parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC), with regard to financial papers seven and eight of 2011. The two papers totalling, $2,240,901,071 and $3,471,047,823 respectively, seeking approval for expenditure met from the contingencies fund late last year, were tabled by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on February 10 in the National Assembly.
Financial paper seven was debated and was amended before being approved, as the opposition refused to support certain provisions that were being sought, key among which was the provision that was sought for expenses associated with the national investiture ceremony and other events hosted by the State.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, said that the expenditure associated with the investiture ceremony totalled over $10M, noting that this activity was not catered for in the 2011 national budget.
He explained further that, due to the fact that this ceremony had a five-year hiatus, they had to cater for 131 national awardees.
APNU member Carl Greenidge proceeded to ask for a breakdown of how the $25M was spent by the Office of the President. This was provided to the House by Minister Edghill; it includes $10M for the investiture ceremony, $5M for the swearing-in of the new President and the Cabinet, $1.5M went towards supporting two national sports in Guyana (cricket and football), and donations amounting to $8M went towards a number of organizations, including the sum that made available to support ACDA’s activities to commemorate the International Year of People of African Descent (IYPAD).
Another major objection by the opposition that left government members mind-boggled was to the $6.5M that was sought for the payment of honorarium for staff of the General Register Office (GRO) who worked during the second claims and objections period leading up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections, to ensure that Guyanese were not disenfranchised.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, under whose responsibility the GRO falls, said that 53 people from that office had to be paid overtime to ensure that these vital source documents were made available. He went on to provide details that these employees worked a total of 336 hours, producing 18,000 birth certificates.
A division was called on this particular item, resulting in 31 members voting in favour, with 32 voted against it; as such, it was defeated.
In capital estimates of the same paper, the $29.1M that was sought for infrastructural works for the Specialty Hospital received no support from the opposition parties, as they questioned the provision on the basis that the project was being funded by a loan.
Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his response, said that the sum being sought is to meet expenses associated with the land preparation at the site where this state-of-the-art facility will be constructed.
his answer was supported by Minister Singh who explained that the loan provided by the India Exim Bank will cover the cost of construction and acquisition of certain basic equipment; however, it does not cover costs associated with site preparation.
After several calls for vote by division, the amended financial paper seven was approved; however, instead of the original sum $2,240,901,071, it was revised and reduced to $2, 161,281, 593.
Financial paper eight did not receive the support of the opposition. APNU, fully supported by the AFC, called for government to withdraw the supplementary paper and resubmit it after it would have been restructured with more details of the expenditure.
Minister Singh, in response, maintained that there is no basis for such a request, emphasising that government is more than prepared to answer any question that the opposition may have, and on many previous occasions, submitted detailed information to members of the House.
He explained that there are two types of financial papers that are brought to the National Assembly, one that seeks parliamentary approval imprimatur for advances made from the contingencies fund, which is provided for and governed by the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003.
type of financial paper, he described as “straight supplementary”, not advances withdrawn from the contingencies fund, to meet urgent, unforeseeable expenditures. This, in turn, comprises two different types of expenditures, local and foreign.
Paper eight, he said, refers to the second type of expenditure, in the second category of financial papers.
“We are asking merely for approval of specific appropriation, which the national estimates clearly outlined … I am taken completely by surprise by the opposition, we have no difficulty answering any questions…,” he said.
Greenidge, notwithstanding Minister Singh’s explanation and appeal for the opposition to reconsider their position with regard to paper eight, maintained that it should be restructured.
After the House reached this impasse, a suspension was called during which government members tried to negotiate with the opposition in an effort at a consensus, thereby advancing the business of citizenry.
However, all efforts proved futile, as both opposition parties held true to their position. Deputy Speaker, Deborah Backer, who presided over the sitting, then called for an adjournment, as this is the first time that the Parliament of Guyana has arrived at such a crossroad, and as such, she had to be advised on the next step forward.
The House stands adjourned until March 15, at which time this matter will be further discussed.
Written by GINA
Friday, 17 February 2012 01:18
- Finance Minister
GOVERNMENT’S much anticipated fear of gridlock, which President Donald Ramotar warned of in his address to the Tenth Parliament, yesterday came to pass in the National Assembly as it tried to find common ground with the Parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC), with regard to financial papers seven and eight of 2011. The two papers totalling, $2,240,901,071 and $3,471,047,823 respectively, seeking approval for expenditure met from the contingencies fund late last year, were tabled by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on February 10 in the National Assembly.
Financial paper seven was debated and was amended before being approved, as the opposition refused to support certain provisions that were being sought, key among which was the provision that was sought for expenses associated with the national investiture ceremony and other events hosted by the State.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, said that the expenditure associated with the investiture ceremony totalled over $10M, noting that this activity was not catered for in the 2011 national budget.
He explained further that, due to the fact that this ceremony had a five-year hiatus, they had to cater for 131 national awardees.
APNU member Carl Greenidge proceeded to ask for a breakdown of how the $25M was spent by the Office of the President. This was provided to the House by Minister Edghill; it includes $10M for the investiture ceremony, $5M for the swearing-in of the new President and the Cabinet, $1.5M went towards supporting two national sports in Guyana (cricket and football), and donations amounting to $8M went towards a number of organizations, including the sum that made available to support ACDA’s activities to commemorate the International Year of People of African Descent (IYPAD).
Another major objection by the opposition that left government members mind-boggled was to the $6.5M that was sought for the payment of honorarium for staff of the General Register Office (GRO) who worked during the second claims and objections period leading up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections, to ensure that Guyanese were not disenfranchised.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, under whose responsibility the GRO falls, said that 53 people from that office had to be paid overtime to ensure that these vital source documents were made available. He went on to provide details that these employees worked a total of 336 hours, producing 18,000 birth certificates.
A division was called on this particular item, resulting in 31 members voting in favour, with 32 voted against it; as such, it was defeated.
In capital estimates of the same paper, the $29.1M that was sought for infrastructural works for the Specialty Hospital received no support from the opposition parties, as they questioned the provision on the basis that the project was being funded by a loan.
Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his response, said that the sum being sought is to meet expenses associated with the land preparation at the site where this state-of-the-art facility will be constructed.
his answer was supported by Minister Singh who explained that the loan provided by the India Exim Bank will cover the cost of construction and acquisition of certain basic equipment; however, it does not cover costs associated with site preparation.
After several calls for vote by division, the amended financial paper seven was approved; however, instead of the original sum $2,240,901,071, it was revised and reduced to $2, 161,281, 593.
Financial paper eight did not receive the support of the opposition. APNU, fully supported by the AFC, called for government to withdraw the supplementary paper and resubmit it after it would have been restructured with more details of the expenditure.
Minister Singh, in response, maintained that there is no basis for such a request, emphasising that government is more than prepared to answer any question that the opposition may have, and on many previous occasions, submitted detailed information to members of the House.
He explained that there are two types of financial papers that are brought to the National Assembly, one that seeks parliamentary approval imprimatur for advances made from the contingencies fund, which is provided for and governed by the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003.
type of financial paper, he described as “straight supplementary”, not advances withdrawn from the contingencies fund, to meet urgent, unforeseeable expenditures. This, in turn, comprises two different types of expenditures, local and foreign.
Paper eight, he said, refers to the second type of expenditure, in the second category of financial papers.
“We are asking merely for approval of specific appropriation, which the national estimates clearly outlined … I am taken completely by surprise by the opposition, we have no difficulty answering any questions…,” he said.
Greenidge, notwithstanding Minister Singh’s explanation and appeal for the opposition to reconsider their position with regard to paper eight, maintained that it should be restructured.
After the House reached this impasse, a suspension was called during which government members tried to negotiate with the opposition in an effort at a consensus, thereby advancing the business of citizenry.
However, all efforts proved futile, as both opposition parties held true to their position. Deputy Speaker, Deborah Backer, who presided over the sitting, then called for an adjournment, as this is the first time that the Parliament of Guyana has arrived at such a crossroad, and as such, she had to be advised on the next step forward.
The House stands adjourned until March 15, at which time this matter will be further discussed.
