Telecoms Bill may not make 100 day cut
With just over 20 days remaining for the APNU+AFC to fulfill its 100-day plan to the electorate, there are some concerns that the new administration will not be able to fully meet this self-allotted deadline.
One area of particular concern is the liberalization of the telecommunications sector. The Telecoms Bill was supposed to be passed in the 10th Parliament but due to the prorogation by former President Donald Ramotar it did not happen.
Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who is responsible for this critical piece of legislation says all efforts are being made to have this passed within the 100-day period.
“We will get it here within the hundred days, it’s with our legal team now…soon as that is finished we will lay it here in parliament and pass it,” said Patterson.
However, When it was pointed out that August 10 is budget day and the likelihood of the debates being finished in time for the Bill to be passed before the 100 days expire on August 23rd, Patterson said that the Budget would take priority.
“We have two things there…we have to get the budget…the country needs a budget…it obviously takes precedence…If I have to get up on the 24th and asked the country for a day I don’t think we will be marked down for allowing the budget to pass,” the Public Infrastructure Minister stated.
Patterson made it clear that allowing the budget to take precedence over the bill should not be been seen as compromising the 100-day plan.
Additionally, another aspect of the 100-day plan that may not be fulfilled is the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).
