An effort by A Partnership for National Unity member Carl Greenidge to cut funding for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Sports and Arts Development Fund failed to be carried by the National Assembly this evening.

Seeking an explanation for the use of the $100 million fund, Alliance for Change member Khemraj Ramjattan was told by Minister Dr. Frank Anthony that monies were spent in 2012, on payments for two Cuban coaches, the Visual Arts Exhibition, the hosting of renowned author E.R. Braithwaite, the construction of the 1823 Berbice Uprising monument, the Guyana Prize for Literature, the Interim Management Committee for local cricket and more.
Dr. Anthony explained that for 2013, the fund will be used to pay for two more Cuban coaches, Visual Arts Workshops, the printing of books for the Guyana Classics, the printing and upgrading of at least six Amerindian language dictionaries, delegation visits to Suriname for the Inter Guianas Culture Festival and Carifesta, the promotion of local films through a collaboration with the University of Guyana and other activities.
APNU’s Debra Backer raised questions about the location and composition of the Fund, and the minister said that that the unit was located within the ministry and a panel consisting of senior staffers such as the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Sports and Director of Culture oversee its operations.
After this was stated, AFC member Moses Nagamootoo and Greenidge both lauded the Fund’s intention, but called on the minister to change the composition of those who oversee it and asked that a Board of Trustees be set up instead. Greenidge then requested to table his motion to amend the requested $100 million to $1 dollar.
The motion was then put to a vote by Speaker Raphael Trotman and at the final count, APNU had 26 votes, the AFC members abstained and the Government side voting against it with 29 votes, hence the motion was not carried.
The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport’s 2013 allocation of $2.529 Billion was then passed by the House.
The ministry’s administration section has been allocated $194.710 million to ensure effective and efficient management and coordination of human, financial and material resources necessary for the successful implementation and administration of the ministry’s programmes.
Culture has been given $609.765 million to ensure Guyanese are provided with opportunities to learn and actively participate in the visual and performing arts, and to preserve and conserve our national heritage.
The sum of $525.416 million will be spent on youths, to ensure that young Guyanese are empowered through interactive programmes designed to enhance skills and developed abilities and create a cadre of entrepreneurs to make meaningful contribution to national development. Under this allocation, $35M will also be spent to construct a confinement building and female dormitory at New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and to purchase tools and equipment for re-tooling of the workshop at Kuru Kuru, NOC, Smythfield and Sophia Training Centres.
 
A total of $1.199 billion will ensure that all Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in sporting activities/programmes thereby channelling energies, abilities and talents to contribute meaningfully to national development. This funding provides for the completion of the warm-up pool and resource centre, the continuation of the athletic track at Leonora, the upgrading of sports facilities and the purchase of sport gear and gym equipment.