THE National Assembly Thursday approved Financial Papers Three and Four in the National Assembly, totalling $2, 104, 478, 083 and $542, 948, 950 respectively, tabled by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Paper Three was seeking supplementary provisions by the Finance Ministry for the expenditure associated with the increase in acquisition cost of fuel for LINMINE Community Power and Kwakwani Utilities Inc., as well as costs incurred to purchase supplies to aid flood victims for a period of two months in Regions 6, 9 and 10.
Provisions were also sought for financial assistance for famine victims in Eastern Africa; the Georgetown Mayor and City Council;the Guyana Sugar Corporation (for severance pay);the African Cultural and Development Association (to finance activities in observance of the Year of Peoples of African Descent); preparation and production of public information materials for  chronic non-communicable diseases; and for contributions towards road safety activities.
Supplementary sums were also  sought for the procurement of vehicles and other equipment for the Office of the President and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); the Local Government Ministry for infrastructural works;the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for development programmes; the Works Ministry for rehabilitation of roads and drainage structures; the Education Ministry for construction and rehabilitation of computer labs and furniture; and provision of tools and equipment for the security sector.
In Paper Four, the Works Ministry is seeking provisions to cover costs incurred for the modification of the Supenaam and Parika stellings to accommodate the roll on/roll off ferries, as well as provisions to acquire replacement spares for the rehabilitation of vessels.
A provision is also being sought by the Education Ministry for the establishment of a housing revolving fund pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).            
Subsequent to the consideration of the items listed in the two papers, Minister Singh moved for the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, which provided for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to meet the expenditure of Guyana for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011.  (GINA)