RE:government will sit todayNo mention of CGX. EOG and Tullow listed (#3 under first section). Hopefully, CGX is addressed today as well!
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
ORDER PAPER
FOR THE 113TH SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRST SESSION
(2015-2019) OF THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA TO BE HELD
AT 2.00 P.M.
ON FRIDAY, 26TH APRIL, 2019
IN THE PARLIAMENT CHAMBER, PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
BRICKDAM, GEORGETOWN
----------------------------------------
BUSINESS FOR SITTING
PRAYERS
OATH OF A NEW MEMBER-
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT-
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER-
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS-
PRESENTATION OF PAPERS AND REPORTS-
(1) By the Speaker of the National Assembly:
1. Women and Gender Equality Commission Report on “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
(To be Circulated)
/…2
2.
2. Final Report into the Investigation of Employment Practices at the Guyana Elections Commission and the Appointment of Roxanne Myers to the Post of Deputy Chief Election Officer.
(To be Circulated)
(2) By the Minister of Finance:
1. Loan Contract No. 4698/BL-GY dated December 10, 2018 between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for an amount of US$11,640,000 to finance the Strengthening of the Energy Sector Program. Under this Loan Contract, the IDB will finance a policy-based reform program that will contribute to the development of the Oil and Gas Sector and cleaner energy sources for electricity generation through:
(i) developing a management and planning framework for the Oil and Gas Sector; and
(ii) contributing towards the development of the policy framework to diversify the electricity generation matrix.
(To be Circulated)
2. Annual Report of the National Insurance Scheme for the year 2016.
(To be Circulated)
3. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax Laws) (Tullow Guyana B.V., Eco (Atlantic) Guyana Inc. and Total E&P Guyana BV) Order 2019 – No. 2 of 2019.
(To be Circulated)
(3) By the Minister of State:
Audited Financial Statements of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology for the year ended 31st December, 2014.
(To be Circulated)
/…3
3.
(4) By the Minister of Public Infrastructure:
Audited Financial Statements of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation for the year ended 31stDecember, 2016.
(To be Circulated)
(5) By the Minister of Business:
1. Annual Report of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) for the year 2016.
(To be Circulated)
2. Annual Report of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards for the years 2012 and 2013.
(To be Circulated)
3. Annual Report of the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission for the years 2012 and 2013.
(To be Circulated)
4. Annual Report of the Guyana National Printers Limited for the year 2015.
(To be Circulated)
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES –
By the Minister of Agriculture (Chairperson of the Special Select Committee on the Food Safety Bill 2016 – Bill No. 22/2016):
Report of the Special Select Committee on the Food Safety Bill 2016 – Bill No. 22/2016.
(To be Circulated)
ORAL QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE-
QUESTIONS ON NOTICE-
STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS, INCLUDING POLICY STATEMENTS-
/…4
4.
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS-
REQUESTS FOR LEAVE TO MOVE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ASSEMBLY ON DEFINITE MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE-
MOTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OR SITTINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND MOVED BY A MINISTER-
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS-
Introduction and First Readings
1. INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2019 – Bill No. 1/2019
The Minister of Public Telecommunications, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Interception of Communications Act.
2. PROCUREMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 2019 – BILL No. 2/2019
The Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Procurement Act.
/…5
5.
3. CUSTOMS AND TRADE SINGLE WINDOW SYSTEM BILL 2019 – Bill No. 3/2019
The Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to establish the Customs and Trade Single Window System to facilitate trade and for connected matters.
4. CUSTOMS (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) BILL 2019 – Bill No. 4/2019
The Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Customs Act.
5. NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 2019 – Bill No. 5/2019
The Minister of Education, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the National Accreditation Council Act 2004.
6. NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL ACT 2004 (VALIDATION) BILL 2019 – Bill No. 6/2019
The Minister of Education, on behalf of the Government, to present the following Bill:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to validate the commencement of and all acts and things done under the National Accreditation Council Act 2004.
/…6
6.
PUBLIC BUSINESS
(i) GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
MOTION
1. SYMPATHY ON THE DEATH OF MR. ABDUL KADIR, FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
The Minister within the Ministry of Communities to move the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly records its deep regret on the death of Mr. Abdul Kadir, on 28th June, 2018, and pays tribute to his dedicated service to the Parliament of Guyana as a Member of Parliament where he served in the Eighth Parliament, from 17th April, 2001 to 2nd May, 2006, and to the people of Guyana;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the National Assembly directs that an expression of its sympathy be conveyed to his sorrowing widow, children and relatives.
(Notice Paper No. 180 (M 127 Govt 68) published on 2018-12-13)
BILLS - Committee, Second and Third Readings
*2. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION BILL 2017 – Bill No. 9/2017 published on 2017-07-26
The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform has reported thereon:
/…7
*Not to be proceeded with at this Sitting
7.
A BILL intituled AN ACT to establish a Constitutional form Consultative Commission to assist the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform in its work by conducting public consultations with and receiving submissions from the people of Guyana for the Committee, to provide for its membership, its terms of reference and for other connected purposes.
(Read a first time and referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform on 2017-07-27)
BILLS- Committee, Report and Third Readings
*3. PETROLEUM COMMISSION ON GUYANA BILL 2017 – Bill No. 4/2017 published on 2017-04-28
The Assembly to proceed upon the further stages of the following Bill, after the Special Select Committee has reported thereon:
A BILL intituled AN ACT to provide for the establishment and functions of the Petroleum Commission of Guyana and for related matters.
(Read a first time on 2017-05-08)
(Read a second time and committed to a Special Select Committee on 2017-06-15)
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS
MOTIONS
1. SYMPATHY ON THE DEATH OF MR. HEERALALL MOHAN, FORMER MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Mr. Clement Rohee, M.P. to move the following motion:
/…8
*Not to be proceeded with at this Sitting
8.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly records its deep regret on the death of Mr. Heeralall Mohan, on 1st November, 2018, and pays tribute to his dedicated service to the Parliament of Guyana as a Member of Parliament where he served in the Seventh and Eighth Parliaments, from 26th February, 1998 to 2nd May, 2006, and to the people of Guyana;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the National Assembly directs that an expression of its sympathy be conveyed to his sorrowing widow, children and relatives.
(Notice Paper No. 181 (M 128 Opp 22) published on 2018-12-14)
*2. THE REVOCATION OF V.A.T. ON EDUCATION
Ms Priya Manickchand, M.P., to move the following motion:
WHEREAS the government has made public declarations of its commitment to education and the provision of quality education as key to the development of Guyana’s youth and nation;
AND WHEREAS the government has established a Commission of Inquiry on Education that has been meeting for almost a year but has not concluded its work;
AND WHEREAS the Minister of Finance in the 2017 Budget speech in November 2016, informed the Nation of the Government’s intention to remove the zero rated status on educational goods and services;
/…9
*Not to be proceeded with in this Session
9.
AND WHEREAS Order No. 18 of 2016 reversed the policy of the previous Government on education which zero rated educational goods and services and introduced a 14% VAT on educational goods and services, effective from February 1, 2017;
AND WHEREAS the Opposition Members of Parliament called by the way of an annulment motion for the “repeal of the Value-Added Tax (Amendment of Schedules) Order 2016, Order No. 18 of 2016 made under the Value Added Tax Act which comes into effect on February 1, 2017” and “That this National Assembly calls on the Minister responsible to reinstate and bring back (sic) into force the schedules I and II existing prior to Order No. 18 of 2016, Value Added Tax (Amendment of Schedules) Order 2016” due to “the unfavourable effect on the people of Guyana and the economy” which was defeated in the House on January 30, 2017;
AND WHEREAS the impact of these budgetary measures have caused great consternation and anxiety for parents and students about, inter alia, the future of students’ right to access education of their choice as provided for in the Constitution;
AND WHEREAS it was reported that more than 14,000 persons petitioned the President calling for the removal of VAT on educational goods and services;
AND WHEREAS over the last three months, stakeholders have organised and continue to hold protests against this budgetary measure and have remained steadfast in their demand for the revocation of VAT on educational goods and services;
AND WHEREAS the Cabinet announced that it would not review its position this year 2017;
/…10
10.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly calls on the Government to direct the Minister of Finance to take immediate steps to revoke Order No. 18 of 2016 imposing VAT on educational goods and services;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Government reinstates Schedules I and II existing prior to Order No. 18 of 2016, Value Added Tax (Amendment of Schedules) Order 2016 on educational goods and services.
(Notice Paper No. 95 (M 75 Opp.16) published on 2017-04-26)
(As altered by the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No. 27(2)(b))
*3. PARKING METER PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN
Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, M.P., to move the following motion:
WHEREAS the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, represented by the Mayor and
Town Clerk, have entered into a contractual arrangement with a company (Smart City Solutions) for the installation of Parking Meters in our Capital City, Georgetown;
AND WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council has held no public consultations with national stakeholders nor the citizens of the city;
AND WHEREAS the citizens of Georgetown and those who drive into, and, must traverse through the Capital to reach other areas of the country, have appealed to the Mayor and City Council to abandon this parking meter project because of the financial hardships it will inflict upon the people;
/…11
*Not to be proceeded with at this Sitting
11.
AND WHEREAS the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communities and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, has reviewed the parking meter contract and have found that the contract may have violated tender procedures; that the contract is too much in favour of the parking meter party and that the cost is burdensome;
AND WHEREAS the Mayor and some councillors in the face of the public opposition to this have been adamant that the project will proceed;
AND WHEREAS the company contracted to implement the project has been proceeding full steam ahead with its implementation plan, with aggressive promotion, importation of equipment and the hiring of staff;
AND WHEREAS there are many legal hurdles and protocols to address, including the yet unresolved critical issue of whether the Mayor and City Council have authority over public roads such as Regent Street, Water Street and Avenue of the Republic;
AND WHEREAS there are other legal issues involved with granting policing authority to a private company;
AND WHEREAS the Alliance For Change and the Deputy Mayor have publicly stated their opposition to the parking meter project,
BE IT RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly calls on the Auditor General of Guyana to immediately conduct a forensic audit into the Georgetown Municipal Council including the Parking Meter Contract.
(Notice Paper No. 68 (M 55 Opp. 10) published on 2016-10-21)
/…12
12.
*4. NARCOTICS DRUG AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (CONTROL)
(AMENDMENT) BILL 2015 -No. 17 of 2015
Mr. Michael Carrington, M.P., to move the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order No. 52(1), grant leave for the introduction and first reading of the Narcotics Drug and PsychotropicSubstances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2015 -No. 17 of 2015.
A BILL intituled AN ACT to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 1988.
(Notice Paper No. 25 (M20 APNU/AFC Private Member.1) published on 2015-12-10)
(iii) COMMITTEES BUSINESS-
MOTIONS
1. ADOPTION OF THE SEVENTH REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS IN RELATION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ COMMISSION
The Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibilities for Culture, Youth and Sport (Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments) to move the following motion:
WHEREAS, Article 212S of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ Commission;
AND WHEREAS, in accordance with Article 212S (2) (a) (b) (c) of the Constitution, the Indigenous People’s Commission shall consist of –
/…13
*Not to be proceeded with at this Sitting
13.
a) not more than ten members, nominated by entities, by a consensual mechanism determined by the National Assembly, after the entities are determined by the votes of not less than two- thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly;
b) three persons, at least one being a woman nominated by the Toushaos Council and two persons including one woman nominated by Amerindian organisations determined by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly; and
c) a member who shall be a nominee, without the right to vote, chosen by and from each of the following Commissions, the Human Rights Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission and the Rights of the Child Commission unanimously agreed on the following entities to nominate one person each as members of the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission.”
AND WHEREAS, in keeping with article 212 (2) (a) of the Constitution, the Committee on Appointments, having deliberated on the identification of the entities for nomination to the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, unanimously agreed on the following entities to nominate one person each as members of the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission:
(i) Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs;
(ii) Ministry of Public Health;
(iii) Ministry of Social Protection;
(iiii) Private Sector Commission;
(v) Environmental Protection Agency;
(vi) Bar Association of Guyana;
(vii) Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association;
(viii) Forest Products Association;
(ix) Inter-Religious Organisation; and
(x) National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI)
/…14
14.
AND WHEREAS, the Committee also unanimously agreed on the consensual mechanism to guide the process for consultation and nomination of Members to the said Indigenous Peoples’ Commission with reference to article 212S(a) of the Constitution herein of the First Schedule;
AND WHEREAS, the Committee invited the National Toushaos Council and the five (5) Amerindian Organisations namely, the National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF), the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG), the Guyana Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Amerindian Peoples Association, and North Rupununi (NRDDB) to submit their nominees;
AND WHEREAS, the Toushaos Council on March 17, 2017, submitted three (3) nominees to the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission (IPC);
AND WHEREAS, only four (4) Amerindian organisations submitted two (2) nominees through a process of selection.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the National Assembly adopts the 7th Report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the appointment of Members of the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, which recommends the list of entities proposed in the second “And Whereas” clause, to be consulted to nominate members of the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission in keeping with article 212 S (2) (a) of the Constitution;
FURTHER RESOLVED:
That this National Assembly approves the consensual mechanism, outlined in the First Schedule attached.
(Notice Paper No. 127 (M 98 Committees 24) published on 2018-03-15)
/…15
15.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Consensual Mechanism for the Nomination by Entities for Member of the
Indigenous Peoples’ Commission
Each entity, immediately on the passage of this motion, shall be written to by the Clerk of the
National Assembly inviting it to meet and select their nominee and to send a representative/s on
an appointed day/date, time to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee to appoint
Members of Commissions, at the Parliament Buildings to present the name/s of their nominee/s
for Membership on the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission.
A deadline shall be set by the Clerk of the National Assembly on the advice for the Standing
Committee, by which time it would be formally notified of the names and other requested
particulars of the Nominee/s, the process used for the selection of the Nominee/s by the entity,
and a statement to the effect that the Nominee/s is/are supported and accepted by that entity.
The Nominee/s chosen to represent the Group must be person/s who are competent to contribute
positively to the work of the Commission and who are committed to ensuring that it discharges
all of its functions. They should have earned public respect and be of unquestionable honesty
and integrity.
The process used must be demonstrated to be unbiased and transparent. It is important that the
Nominee/s obtain the unquestioned support and acceptance of the Entity.
Where there is recognized “umbrella organisation” in the list of entities for that Group, the
Clerk shall write to that organisation and copy his letter to each of the “constituent entities”
within the Group.
/…16
16.
2. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON ITS EXAMINATION OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS OF GUYANA FOR THE YEAR 2015
Mr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, M.P. (Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee) to move the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Report of the Public Accounts Committee on its examination of the Public Accounts of Guyana for the year 2015, be adopted and refer the Report to the Government for consideration.
(Notice Paper No. 161 (M 117 Committees 33) published on 2018-08-10)
3. ADOPTION OF THE FOURTH PERIODIC REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P. (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral
Committee on Natural Resources) to move the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Fourth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources be adopted.
(Notice Paper No. 175 (M 122 Committees 34) published on 2018-12-06)
4. ADOPTION OF THE FIFTH PERIODIC REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY
SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P. (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources to move the following motion:
/…17
17.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Fifth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources be adopted.
(Notice Paper No. 176 (M 123 Committees 35) published on 2018-12-06)
5. ADOPTION OF THE SIXTH PERIODIC REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY
SECTORAL COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Mr. Odinga Lumumba, M.P. (Chairperson of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources) to move the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Sixth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources be adopted.
(Notice Paper No. 177 (M 124 Committees 36) published on 2018-12-06)
S.E. ISAACS,
Clerk of the National Assembly
PARLIAMENT OFFICE,
Public Buildings,
Brickdam,
Georgetown.
17th April, 2019.