There are many objections by Civil Society and Organizations  not rush the Bill  through Parliament ,there may be possibility the Government will pass the Bill with their one seat majority. Stringent guardrails of oversight against Government withdrawal and spending have been removed in the new bill .

More info on the Natural Resource Fund Act  No.12 of 2019

https://finance.gov.gy/wp-cont.../2021/03/NRF-Act.pdf

Bill No 20 of 2021 Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021

https://parliament.gov.gy/new2...l_no._20_of_2021.pdf

Objections to the Bill are presented by organizations and individuals.

One needs to view the value-added benefits of the objections and ensuing progress.

In the 2015 elections PNCR/APNU/AFC secured 33 seats and the PPP/C secured 32 seats.

PNCR/APNU/AFC majority by one - 1- seat.

Glen Lall said the bill is clearing the way for the PPP and their rich friends to use the oil fund to mortgage the country and steal.  There is nothing wrong with the current law. 

Oi Siggy, is this how Chandrass saved Guyana?

PPP’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill seeks more power and less accountability and oversight

Dec 29, 2021

Source

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – There is a saying, “The more you watch, the less you see; the less you watch, the better for me.” The PPP seems bent on using its one-seat majority to railroad the repeal of the Original NRF Act approved by the Coalition, replacing it with its own bill, and reducing the Public Accountability and Oversight committee from 22 to 9 persons. They want us to watch less, and the better for them.
They did not like the PNC’s NRF Act so they are repealing it. Why do they also not want to repeal the PNC’s bad oil deal, the way they want to cancel some other bad deals in which the PNC gave away State assets?
The Government claims the Coalition’s NRF was rammed down our throats with no consultation. So, who is ramming down gas-to-shore and the failed Amaila Falls, Payara, Yellowtail, and now this NRF Bill? What consultation was done with the Opposition and civil society for this Bill?
Truth be told, the Coalition’s Bill resulted from a broad consultative process with the assistance of international experts. The Bill meets essential elements of the Santiago Principles and expectations of the EITI and Escazu Agreement, which are all very concerned about public transparency, accountability, and stakeholder oversight.
In our system, Ministers have enormous power, so the criticism that the NRF Act gives too much power to the Minister is frivolous. Our Minister of Natural Resources can grant Tax Certificates worth millions of US dollars to the oil companies although this may be a violation of Guyana’s tax laws. Is the Government interested in reducing such Ministerial power so that only Parliament can do that? One Minister signed away our entire national oil and gas patrimony of billions of barrels of oil for a 2% royalty. There was no consultation with the parliamentary Opposition; the matter was not brought to Parliament; there was no broad public or civic consultation; it was a secret. Why isn’t the PPP Government holding a Commission of Enquiry to find out what happened?
It has been our ongoing plight that when the PPP or PNC is in power, even hanging by a thread on a one-seat majority, they exhibit arrogance and triumphalism that excludes the other side of the House and the people of Guyana. The President is just reported as saying, “The people of this country went to a poll and they placed their confidence in a President, in a government, are you saying that after the people placed that confidence, that we don’t have the right or we can’t be trusted to name people on a Board?” he asked a gathering of Berbicians.” The PPP has learned nothing from the 2011 and 2015 elections. The PPP tends to see itself as Saint with a divine right to impose its will, and everybody else are dumb sinners to be ignored.
Nation, we have an oil and gas giveaway now, a “Dollar Store” type of sale going on with our oil and gas, gold, and timber. The Oil Companies get US$ billions and Guyana gets a handful of US$ millions. From the gross oil income, oil companies get about 85.5% while Guyana gets 14.5%. The world average for countries with oil is a 65% take. So, you see how much we are losing. For the oil companies, every day is Christmas – they get huge gifts from our sitting Governments –PNC or PPP. And our poor, huddled masses yearning for a better life, get hampers!
The problem with this Government so far is their all-around scorecard is one of lack of transparency, accountability, and consultation in the big things that matter most. The Government refuses to disclose information that stakeholders request about oil, gas and documents pertaining to environment assessments. Transparency is missing. Neither the Opposition nor civic society is consulted about all the projects – Gas-to-Shore, Amaila Falls, etc. The actions of one Government may be binding on a successor government so it is important that the Government involves the Opposition, Parliament, and civic stakeholders in such major decisions on expensive projects.
So, let’s see whom the PNC bill included, and compare it with whom the PPP wants to exclude. Instead of the 22 members now, the PPP proposes a nine-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee whose members would be – one from the National Assembly, three from the religious community, two from the private sector, two from organised labour; and one representative of the professions.
Those axed by the PPP’s bill in apparent violation of Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution which requires consultation, include representatives of civil-society, women and youth – all to be nominated by a consortium of civil-society organisations and community-based organisations; Bar Association of Guyana; Guyana Consumers Association; Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI); Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI); Guyana Press Association; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Guyana; Private Sector Commission; one representative from each of the 10 Regional Councils and a nominee from academia nominated by the governing council of the University of Guyana. Clearly, the PNC bill has broad, inclusive representation of major stakeholders.
The PPP proposes 3 religious representatives. This is the type of committee where you need technocratic people, not religious representatives. What happens if they are all duds (unless that’s the kind of folks they want)? The religious folks let us down by their silence during the rigging, were not in the forefront of vaccination, have nothing to say about renegotiation of oil and all natural resource contracts, and had nothing to say when Indians were being dragged out of vehicles and brutalized. Same for the unions. I don’t buy the arguments that the PPP’s amendments will reduce Ministerial control; it increases such control. The Minister will control the 3-5 member Board of Directors being proposed. I suggest a parliamentary confirmation process for the Board of Directors. Nation, we need more oversight of oil and gas and all natural resources, not less. We need more People’s Power, and less political power grab!

Sincerely,
Dr. Jerry Jailall

@Former Member posted:

Objections to the Bill are presented by organizations and individuals.

One needs to view the value-added benefits of the objections and ensuing progress.

In the 2015 elections PNCR/APNU/AFC secured 33 seats and the PPP/C secured 32 seats.

PNCR/APNU/AFC majority by one - 1- seat.

The PPP knows what's best for Guyana. The objections will be handled by the President's hand-picked men.

Is it true that the money will be sitting in foreign bank accounts and not in Guyana?

@Mitwah posted:

Is it true that the money will be sitting in foreign bank accounts and not in Guyana?

Your exclusive choice to seeks the sources for the answers.

@cain posted:

Oi Siggy, is this how Chandrass saved Guyana?

putagee, by now yuh should be able read which of my comments is intended to provoke the party i am commenting to.

What? why is that white chap questioning Jagdeo stewardship with money.

@seignet posted:

What? why is that white chap questioning Jagdeo stewardship with money.

Hahaha..so is joke yo jokin right? Hehe

“Oil Money” NRF Bill passed without debate during chaotic sitting of National Assembly

December 29, 2021

Source

At one stage, Government Members of the Assembly surrounded the Finance Minister as he battled to speak above the noise and the Speaker gazed on. There was a commotion near the Speaker's table as an Opposition MP attempted to grab the Speaker's Mace but was prevented from doing so by one of the Parliamentary staff. Both went tumbling to the ground.

As members of the Opposition chanted loudly and blew whistles in the National Assembly, the Government moved quickly to pass the Natural Resource Fund Bill and the Speaker allowed the passage without any debate.

The National Assembly descended into chaos this evening as the Opposition Members protested loudly against the controversial Bill just after it was introduced.

“No thiefin of the country’s money” they shouted as they rose to their feet and banged on tables while others blew whistles. The Speaker tried repeatedly to get the Opposition MPs to take their seats, even ordering some of them out of the Assembly.

He was ignored and the protests continued. The Opposition MPs moved closer to the area where the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh was speaking and shouted over him. The Speaker suspended the Assembly briefly, but when they returned the protests continued with the chants becoming louder.

At one stage, Government Members of the Assembly surrounded the Finance Minister as he battled to speak above the noise and the Speaker gazed on. There was a commotion near the Speaker’s table as an Opposition MP attempted to grab the Speaker’s Mace but was prevented from doing so by one of the Parliamentary staff. Both went tumbling to the ground.

The Finance Minister continued his defence of the Bill as he presented it and accused the Opposition MPs of being involved in “thuggish” behaviour by their protest action.

By the time he completed his presentation, the Minister of Governance requested that the Bill be put to a vote. With the Speaker allowing the vote, the Government Members used their one-seat majority to pass the controversial Bill as the Opposition shouted “no” against the passage.

The government in its move to rush the Bill through the Assembly, ignored the calls from the Opposition and a number of Civil Society groups to allow the Bill to go to a special select committee and for there to be more consultation.

The Bill was first introduced in the House just over a week ago.

PRESS RELEASE – THE NATURAL RESOURCE FUND BILL No. 20 of 2021 HAS NOT BEEN LEGALLY PASSED.
The reality of tonight’s sitting of the National Assembly is that the Natural Resource Fund Bill No. 20 of 2021 was not legally passed in the National Assembly.
First, the Mace which is the symbol of authority and which must be present throughout the sitting of the Assembly when a law is to be passed, was not present.
Secondly, the Standing Orders state that a Member of the Assembly must be in his or her seat to vote in the National Assembly. Most of the Government MPs were out of their seats, especially the Prime Minister who was on his feet waving. It is therefore clear that there was no legal vote.
Clearly all of the aforementioned circumstances, rendered the passage of the Bill null and void. Yet, the PPP in its quest to denude the NRF Act of 2019 so that it can pillage and plunder the Natural Resource Fund, went ahead and purported to have repealed the 2019 Act. The Act was not repealed.
What is alarming, is that the Speaker who should know better was complicit in this gross violation of the Standing Orders, Principles and Conventions associated with the good conduct of Parliamentary affairs.
The APNU+AFC wishes to inform the Guyanese people that the prevailing law continues to be the Natural Resource Fund Act of 2019 because no legal vote was taken.

Manzoor Nadir is a dunce. Black people is always aware of the laws. Indian people doan care of the laws.

How many Charanjudasses can the PNC+AFC find to support a vote of no-confidence?

Don't trust a person or political party that tells you that 32 is greater than 33.  LOL

The president appoints five and then it goes to the national assembly for debate and approval. 

Listen to Glenn Lall and you might end up doing some backtrack political work for some quick political brownie points or dallas. LOL

@Billy Ram Balgobin, Please name the 5 cronies that were appointed.

NRF replaces the NRA which was rushed through parliament illegally by the APNU/AFC regime just after it was brought down by a no-confidence vote. I urge you to listen to Dr. Ashni Singh speaking about the problems of the NRA and how NRF corrected them so as to prevent abuse by the government of the day.

@Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

Don't trust a person or political party that tells you that 32 is greater than 33.  LOL

The president appoints five and then it goes to the national assembly for debate and approval.

Listen to Glenn Lall and you might end up doing some backtrack political work for some quick political brownie points or dallas. LOL

With a one seat advantage the installed government will get 100% of anything it wants, including the current legislation that is being widely described as legalizing theft and corruption.  Perhaps it is time for other forms of resistance to the Jagdeo dictatorship.

@Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

NRF replaces the NRA which was rushed through parliament illegally by the APNU/AFC regime just after it was brought down by a no-confidence vote. I urge you to listen to Dr. Ashni Singh speaking about the problems of the NRA and how NRF corrected them so as to prevent abuse by the government of the day.

More info on the Natural Resource Fund Act  No.12 of 2019

https://finance.gov.gy/wp-cont.../2021/03/NRF-Act.pdf

Bill No 20 of 2021 Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021

https://parliament.gov.gy/new2...l_no._20_of_2021.pdf

Both are named " Natural Resource  Fund " click on link to compare which have more measures to curtail government from abusing the fund .

@Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

NRF replaces the NRA which was rushed through parliament illegally by the APNU/AFC regime just after it was brought down by a no-confidence vote. I urge you to listen to Dr. Ashni Singh speaking about the problems of the NRA and how NRF corrected them so as to prevent abuse by the government of the day.

Still waiting for you to name the 5 Crownees that were appointed.

@Mitwah posted:

How many Charanjudasses can the PNC+AFC find to support a vote of no-confidence?

Don't say that , you brought him food and drinks in the basement apartment in Markham, picture nah lie. Remember the AFC get together.

GCCI condemns Opposition’s “hooliganism” in National Assembly, calls for swift actions to be taken

GCCI President Timothy Tucker

See full statement from Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI):

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) wishes to place on public record its strong condemnation of the behaviour of some members of the Parliamentary Opposition in the evening of the 29th December, 2021 at the 34th Sitting of the National Assembly.

Having a keen interest in listening to the debate on the Bills which were in the House, it is with utter shock and dismay that members of the GCCI, witnessed a devolution of the Parliamentary proceedings into what can best be described as hooliganism.

The cacophony only subsided when an attempt to remove the Speaker’s ceremonial mace by a Member of Parliament (MP) was made – an intolerable action under any circumstance.

The Chamber of Commerce views this type of action as disrespect to the Chairperson of the highest decision-making body of Guyana. The GCCI is of the view that this type of behaviour has no place in a modern society where civil discourse and debate ought to be the underpinnings of the dialectical process which obtains in Parliament.

Further, the GCCI strongly condemns the racist remarks which were being hurled by an MP at a Parliamentary staffer who attempted to protect the mace from further malignant intent. Discrimination, on any grounds, ought not to be any part of our Guyana.

The Chamber of Commerce wishes to remind Parliamentarians, particularly those who wish to engage in recalcitrant and unbecoming behaviour, that they are representatives of the people of the Republic of Guyana at a time when the country has international attention.

Such reprehensible behaviour has the ability to further damage the credibility of our country as a stable society and environment for doing business – a credibility already under strain by the attempt to subvert the will of the electorate in General and Regional Elections (GRE) 2020.

Therefore, the GCCI calls on the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly to ensure that those responsible for the breakdown of order be dealt with condignly and with great alacrity.

The Chamber would also like to use this opportunity to reiterate its support for the Local Content Legislation and the Natural Resources Fund – both instruments which have potential to bolster benefits to the Guyanese people.

NRF Bill was legally passed – House Speaker warns of consequences for MPs who seized Mace

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and Clerk Sherlock Isaacs during a press conference

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir today warned of consequences for those Members of Parliament who wreaked havoc within the National Assembly on Wednesday during the consideration of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill.

While mentioning the possibility of suspension, the House Speaker said he has not yet made a decision about what actions will be taken against guilty parliamentarians.

Chaos erupted in the National Assembly the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition began disrupting the proceedings after the NRF Bill was brought up for debate.

The Opposition’s behaviour, which was described as “disruptive” and “thuggish” by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, escalated into a commotion at the Speaker’s table when coalition Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson snatched the Parliament Mace that was on the Speaker’s desk.

“I condemn the behaviour of the…Opposition Members of Parliament yesterday, total disrespect for the Institution and the Speaker,” Nadir expressed.

“One Member of Parliament grabbed the mace out of its place. The standing orders are very, very clear with respect to the process in enforcing penalties against members of parliament for gross misconduct…there are a number of remedies that we could consider,” he affirmed.

In addition to the stealing of the mace, the House Speaker revealed that a parliamentarian entered the control room at the venue – the Arthur Chung Conference Centre – and ripped out connections for internet and microphones, causing the live feed and virtual connections to be disrupted.

Meanwhile, Nadir made it clear that, contrary to claims that are being made, the NRF Bill was “lawfully” and “legally” passed in the National Assembly.

He explained that to ensure the business of Parliament is lawful and legal, two main ingredients must be present: a quorum and the mace which is the authority of Parliament.

A look at the live broadcast of when the voting took place, posted in the social media pages of the Guyana Parliament, shows the House Speaker holding down the mace after it was returned following the APNU+AFC’s disruptions. This occurred at around 20:23hrs.

The Guyana Government has already issued a statement making it clear that, “the mace was also in place at the time when the question was put to the House and the vote taken.”

Going forward, Nadir expressed that Guyana should not behave in an “uncivilized” manner.

Moreover, the House Speaker expressed gratitude to the staff of Parliament who “defended the sanctity” of the National Assembly despite the “taunts” and “racial slurs” that were hurled against them.

Ian MacPherson was named as the person who secured the mace after the Opposition Members seized it.

Mace was properly in place when voting occurred on NRF Bill

A snippet from the live broadcast showing that the pace was in its rightful place at the time of the voting on the NRF Bill

Contrary to claims being made by Opposition Members, video footage shows that at the time when voting took place on the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill, the Mace was properly in place.

The Mace is the most integral part of the National Assembly’s business and if it is not in the House, no business can be conducted.

On entering and leaving the Parliament Chamber, the Speaker is preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms bearing the Mace on his right shoulder.

When the National Assembly is in session, the Mace is placed on the Clerk’s table, with its head pointing towards the Government side of the Chamber.

When the Assembly meets as a Committee of the Whole Assembly, the Mace is placed below the Clerk’s table.

When the Mace lies upon the table, the House is in session and when under, it is a Committee.

A look at the live broadcast of when the voting took place, posted in the social media pages of the Guyana Parliament, shows the House Speaker Manzoor Nadir holding down the mace after it was returned following the APNU+AFC’s disruptions.

This occurred at around 20:23hrs.

The Guyana Government has already issued a statement making it clear that, “the mace was also in place at the time when the question was put to the House and the vote taken.”

Did Cheddi not do the same with the Mace?

A quiet war going on, some day it will get to the citizens. May the best hooligan win. Guyanese politicians are all hooligans. The PNC should continue until it explodes. After the storm there will be calm.

The Mace held on to by the speaker is miniature replica Mace reportedly made for exhibition purposes and the National Youth Parliament.

It's not the Official Mace used in Parliamentary sittings. The speaker used a substitute mace so that the bill can be railroaded in parliament. US$400 Million will be withdrawn from the Bank of New York to cover deficit in Government spending since coming to office. The NRF Account will be emptied ,heard the bill was assented to by Irfaan last night.

The NRF bill was officially passed, Mo Money, Mo Money!!

House Speaker says opposition parliamentarians involved in removal of mace will be punished; Harmon says action will be taken against passage of Bill

Posted by: Denis Chabrol in News, Politics Thursday, 30 December 2021, 12:36 1 Comment

Last Updated on Thursday, 30 December 2021, 12:36 by Denis Chabrol

House Speaker Manzoor Nadir and Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.

House Speaker Manzoor Nadir says the opposition parliamentarians, who removed the mace during Wednesday’s debate on the Natural Resource Fund legislation, will be punished.

Noting that in any Parliament, an attack on the mace is an attack on the authority of the Parliament, he sent a clear message that sanctions would be imposed on those culpable in snatching and removing the mace from the National Assembly’s Chamber. “That attack on the mace cannot go unpunished. I cannot find an easier word than punish,” he said.

He declines to name the parliamentarian who spearheaded the removal of  the mace, only saying that the video recordings show who participated in what he termed the “terrorist” behaviour

Mr. Nadir said after the mace was “violently removed” by opposition lawmakers, a “replica mace” was placed before the House Speaker. He said the second mace was set aside in case the original mace could not be found.

Opposition Leader  Joseph Harmon on Thursday fully endorsed all of the actions taken yesterday by APNU+AFC legislators and restated that the government version of the Fund legislation was not passed. He said legal action would be taken to confirm that the 2019 version of the sovereign wealth fund law was still in force. “I am in full support of the actions taken by opposition Members of Parliament in attempting to halt the passage of
the Natural Resource Fund Bill….We have already established that the passage of the bill was illegal and
we will soon take the necessary action to deal with this issue,” he said.

The replica mace before the Speaker Manzoor Nadir before Governance Minister Gail Teixeira put the question for the National Resource Fund Bill to be read a third time.

The House Speaker dismissed opposition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) claims that the mace was not in front of him and that the government parliamentarians were still standing while he put the Natural Resource Fund Bill was put to the vote. “Let it be pellucid that the two ingredients necessary for the lawful passage of Bills, Motions in the National Assembly were present. The mace was in place and the vote was taken while the members were in their seats; the majority of members were in their seats,” he said.

The House Speaker thanked parliamentary staff member, Eamon  McPherson on behalf of a “grateful nation” for securing the mace while he was being taunted and racial slurs that were levelled against him.

Asked whether he  did not seek to meet with the opposition parliamentarians during the brief suspension of the sitting, he said Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones did not respond to calls. “The calls went unanswered,” he said.

Mr. Harmon vowed that the opposition would not allow a Natural Resource Fund law that would allow “thievery” of the nation’s resources. His People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), and several civil society organisations have chastised the government for denuding the Natural Resource Fund law of broad-based oversight, the presidential appointment of Board of Directors to manage the fund, and  the change in the formula for withdrawing monies from the Fund.

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Passing of the NRF is a victory for all the peoples of Guyana.  Hooliganism and bullyism by APNU must be resisted at all times.  Blatant rigging to Blatant theft of the Mace in the parliament only further underscore their dictatorial, biased, and corrupt nature.   The PNC keeps lying to black people that Indians are going to take all of the oil money and leave them with nothing.  This is big lie!!!!  The PPP has been in office for more than a year now and they have not used a single penny of the oil fund. They introduced a bill to parliament and allowed all to debate, but the bittered and defeated APNU wants to make an issue out nothing.   

@Mitwah posted:

Did Cheddi not do the same with the Mace?

Yes, I think he got angry and threw the mace at Sase Narain.  Too bad he missed.

The Mace is an adoption of Hanumanji Gada.

The Gada is the main weapon of the Hindu god Hanuman., with a spike on the top. Outside India, the Gada was also adopted in Southeast Asia and spread to other countries. It is used by many to open their Parliament as a symbol of authority.

President assents to Natural Resource Fund bill

December 31 ,2021

Source

President Irfaan Ali yesterday afternoon assented to the controversial Natural Resource Fund Bill which was passed on Wednesday in the National Assembly.

This means that in the first year of operation of the Fund in 2022, the government will be able to extract the entire amount of over US$600m and deposit that into the Consolidated Fund for budgetary use.

Notice of the assent was posted on the Office of the President Facebook page today.

The President also assented to the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2021.

@Mitwah posted:

The Mace is an adoption of Hanumanji Gada.

The Gada is the main weapon of the Hindu god Hanuman., with a spike on the top. Outside India, the Gada was also adopted in Southeast Asia and spread to other countries. It is used by many to open their Parliament as a symbol of authority.

Guyana is one of the poorest countries in South America. Will the PPP/C  use the money  to bring the country and our citizens out of poverty? Will they use it to create jobs? Will they use it to improve  the health care, the infrastructure, education, security etc.

If they did that how you expect them fi own more houses an strip malls eh?

I should get a pic of my mace posted, the ball heavy tarass. Whoever would use one of those in fights back in the ole days musta had goadie.

@Mitwah posted:

Guyana is one of the poorest countries in South America. Will the PPP/C  use the money  to bring the country and our citizens out of poverty? Will they use it to create jobs? Will they use it to improve  the health care, the infrastructure, education, security etc.

creating jobs would be a waste of time. guyanese not too keen on wuking. beside skills are non-existent. and travelling to jobs in Wales is a traffic nightmare. workers will never get there on time.

improve the infrastructure and hand out food hampers with a lil raise from time to time. family overseas will drive the economy whilst the PPP thief all the money.

long live guyana, a country so backward and yet they survive fiahs, earthquakes and tsunami floods.

There must be good waiting in the corridors somewhere.