Opposition slashes billions from 2012 budget
THE opposition APNU and AFC yesterday wielded the power of its combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly by sticking to its proposed budgetary cuts to the provisions under the Offices of the President and the Prime Minister, slashing it by billions of dollars.
This was despite the fact that government provided  all the necessary, and requested,  explanations to the opposition, in the House, during consideration of Guyana’s 2012 budget estimates.
The first cut yesterday was made to allocations for subventions to the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN), reducing both to a mere Gy$1 each.
The opposition held firm on its words to cut the government proposed subvention to the two state entities, leaving at least 38 staffers from GINA without jobs.  NCN (radio and TV) was also given Gy$1 and, according to its CEO Mr. Mohammed Sattaur, the entity will be forced to send home at least 30% of its almost 200 staff.
In this regard, the Office of the President subsidies and contributions of $918.719M to local organisations were slashed by $211.507B, which gives a total of $707.149B.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance Bishop Juan Edghill, who faced  opposition questions, noted that, like any other government in any part of the world, there is always a mechanism, agency or an outfit that is financed and equipped to promote and to ensure that the public is aware of government’s programmes, and in Guyana this is the job of GINA.
The next target was the Office of the President’s Presidential advisory staff which ,under the opposition’s scissors was reduced by $150M and under the line item ‘others’ by $80M, affecting its 121 contracted employees. This move by the opposition has stripped President Donald Ramotar of his advisors.
Meanwhile, under Office of the President capital expenditure for administrative services, four amendments were made to reduce the sum allocated for the development of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) drive, was slashed by$170M. This will see the government’s One Laptop Per Family programme and the installation of its Fibre Optic Cable being halted.
Minister Edghill explained that the cuts from the ICT sector will hinder the OLPF programme and the procurement of laptops from the Chinese government.
He noted too, that it will affect its good bilateral relations with China, which this year is celebrating 40 years, in this regard.
However, despite efforts by the government’s side of the House to convince the opposition of the consequences of their amendments, they did not give it a second thought, stating only  that they were going through with the plans.
APNU Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge in his response said that they are aware of the good relations that the two countries share and do not want to break the existing ties.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who addressed the House in response to the proposed cuts, suggested that the opposition should take some time to rethink their decisions given the dire consequences it would have on the Guyanese populace; however, this was to no avail since the two parties were bent on going forward with their proposal.
He further told the House that he hoped the people will see who did the damage to them. Further, he failed in his efforts to have the combined opposition parties’ renege on their proposals to cut the money set aside which the President utilises to render assistance to citizens who would approach him from time to time.
He also explained that the cuts will not harm the President but the ordinary Guyanese who would benefit from the much needed assistance from the President, including Amerindian Communities and  rural families, among others.
Meanwhile, with regard to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), provisions for the entity were cut by $527M, which will hinder government’s plan for the hosting of the long awaited local government elections.
The final cut was made to the $6B proposed subsidy to the Guyana Power and Light Company inc. (GPL)  which falls under the ambit of the Office of the Prime Minister, to $5B.
Meanwhile, the current and capital expenditures for the Public and Police Service Commissions, The Teaching Service Commission,the Guyana Defence Force, the Office of the Ombudsman and  Parliament Office were passed without amendments.
For all of the opposition’s proposed cuts, a division was called in the House which saw 33 opposition members voting in favour of the amendments and 32 from the government side voting against.