…new educational channel, equipment for intel agency financed
MINISTER of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday denounced statements by leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin who questioned the propriety of Supplementary Provisions sought in Financial Papers, two of which were debated during that sitting; and when passed, approved an additional $7.9B in government spending.
At what was the penultimate sitting of the National Assembly yesterday, the House approved Financial Papers 3 and 4 of 2010. They sought allocations totalling $1.918B and $4.942B respectively for current and capital expenditure. The final sitting for the year will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010, when Financial Paper 5/2010, which seeks a further $3B for the development of new housing areas and improvement to existing ones, will be debated.
During the commencement of the debate into Financial Paper 3/2010 yesterday, Corbin said that the consideration of the papers made a mockery of the processes established in the National Assembly. He said that the papers had within them requests for both current and capital works, when there was sufficient time for detailed planning to be done, which would have negated the need for the requests for additional funds.
But in rebuttal, Minister Singh said, “I disagree roundly with the Leader of the Opposition’s assertions. They are grossly inaccurate.” He added that the submission of financial papers is allowed according to the Constitution of Guyana and in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).
The Leader of the Opposition questioned why it was that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was requesting a sum of $8.5M “to address the challenging situation to food security in the North and South Pakaraima villages and other neighbouring Amerindian communities affected by prolonged rainfall.” He was of the opinion that this is an expense that should have been known of because of the advances made in weather forecasting.
To this, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said that it would have been hard to predict such an emergency, even with the advances in technology, leading to the request for additional funds. Dr Singh also expressed his displeasure with the statement Corbin made, adding, “I am shocked that the Leader of the Opposition is opposing the allocation for emergency relief.”
The Leader of the Opposition also asked why it was that the amount of $93.1M was being sought for the hosting of the UNASUR in November.
In response to Corbin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said that many of the heads of state of the South American countries come to the meetings with very large contingents, hence the difficulties in planning for their arrival and the need to request additional funds.
Corbin asked why it was that the sum of $224.6M was being sought for the provision of security and ICT equipment for the new National Intelligence Centre in the Castellani House compound.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jennifer Webster said that this is because the Government will be installing CCTV systems around the city. This is being done in the interest of enhancing national security.
Corbin said the requesting of the money only now has dire implications, or there may be a serious lack of planning for the National Intelligence Centre. “Why the sudden need for this $224.6M,” he asked?
“This is not a deliberate attempt. This was done in a phased manner. The procedures for the procurement of the equipment will be done in a transparent manner,” Webster said.
The Opposition had questioned why it was the budget allocated $16M for the Education Television Broadcasting Service (ETBS) and the financial paper requested $147.4M.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh said that the project, which is very wide, will expand distance learning capabilities for various institutions, including the University of Guyana. It will facilitate educational television broadcast for various stakeholders.
He expects the station to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2011, and it will be located in the NCERD centre.
The Minister said that a management committee will be set up to ensure the goals of the programme are met. He debunked the argument that Corbin put forward which suggested that the channel will be used to spread political views to the wide masses it reaches.