Announcements by the Speaker

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION (2012) OF THE TENTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA HELD IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BRICKDAM, GEORGETOWN

11TH Sitting Monday, 16TH April, 2012

The Assembly convened at 1.09 p.m.

Prayers

[Mr. Speaker in the Chair]

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER

Letter of complaint by the Leader of the Opposition

Mr. Speaker: Good afternoon Hon. Members. Yesterday I received a letter written by the Leader of the Opposition under the caption: Complaint of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on the Reporting of the National Budget Debate by the Guyana Information Agency. It is a complaint that the Government Information Agency had shown bias in its reporting. I have since communicated by way of letter to the head of that agency. I have forwarded the material that I have received and, I believe, I have sent a copy of that letter to Mr. Granger. I have asked Mr. Neaz Subhan, whom I am advised is the Director, to give a comment on Mr. Granger‟s complaint.

Cumbersome traffic arrangements

I have my own complaint which is that I find that the traffic arrangements are becoming intolerable. I was a victim of this today when it took me about ten minutes to move about 300 yards to get here. We have repeatedly asked the Commissioner of Police to reassess these arrangements, but it does not seem as if any action is going to be taken. I know that some

Members have their own misgivings and their own views, but I would like to say that it is causing severe dislocation and disruption across the city and it is something that I am sure we all agree cannot continue as is.

PUBLIC BUSINESS

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

MOTION

BUDGET SPEECH 2012 - MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 2012

“WHEREAS the Constitution of Guyana requires that Estimates of the Revenue and Expenditure of Guyana for any financial year should be laid before the National Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Constitution also provides that when the Estimates of Expenditure have been approved by the Assembly an Appropriation Bill shall be introduced in the Assembly providing for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to meet that expenditure;

AND WHEREAS Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of Guyana for the financial year 2012 have been prepared and laid before the Assembly on 2012-03-30;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That this National Assembly approves the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2012, of a total sum of one hundred and seventy nine billion, six hundred and ninety six million, five hundred and forty six thousand dollar($179,696,546,000), excluding thirteen billion, and eighty four million, seven hundred and thirty five thousand dollars (13,084,735,000) which is chargeable by law, as detailed therein and summarised in the undermentioned schedule, and agree that it is expedient to amend the law and to make further provision in respect of finance.” [Minister of Finance]

Assembly resumed budget debate.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, we will now resume the debate for the Budget 2012. I invite our first speaker for today Ms. Amna Ally, the Opposition Chief Whip to address you and I trust that we have all had a good weekend and that we are all charged up and ready to face this week. Go ahead Ms. Ally.

Ms. Ally: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Hon. Members of this House, I rise to make my contribution to this debate under the theme: Remaining on Course, United in Purpose, Prosperity for All. Before I proceed I want to join with my fellow Parliamentarians who spoke before me in welcoming and congratulating all of the new Members who have joined this National Assembly.

Before I continue with the presentation, I want to point out a few things. When I listen to some of the comra