House approves $800M in supplementary spending

Jul 02, 2016 News

Despite fierce scrutiny, the National Assembly on Thursday evening approved almost $800M in extra-budgetary spending that was put forth by the Government for the period September 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, had tabled a Financial Paper, totalling $799,897,637. This amount was approved around 20:30hrs after much enquiry by Members of the Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Among some of the expenditures for which government sought approval, was the $11M supplementary provision that was being sought by the Office of the Prime Minister – Prime Minister’s Secretariat to offset partial liability to the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL) that was incurred by the Government Information Agency.
This expenditure received the green light after several exchanges between the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Members of Parliament (MPs) on the opposite side of the House.
Also, the $48,626,038 that was being sought for the provision of furniture and equipment for the Ministry of the Presidency and State House; and the installation of 6000 solar systems, was also approved by the House.
The Ministry of Agriculture – Ministry Administration, supplementary provision of $8,103,793 for additional security guards due to the frequency of break and enter incidents, was also approved.
Some $49M that was spent for the provision of assistance to coconut farmers affected by the Red Palm Mite (RPM) and for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to facilitate the maintenance of equipment, to increase labour cost for the supervision, monitoring and operation of pumps, pontoons, excavators and dragline – to the tune of $24,469,680, were also approved.
Ministry of Tourism – Tourism Development had expended some $102M and sought and secured the House’s approval yesterday. This amount was paid by the Tourism Authority Board for the settlement of outstanding payments to the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL).
$77,303,817 supplementary that was being sought by The Post Secondary/Tertiary Education Department of the Ministry of Education for the salary increase and one off tax free payment for the University of Guyana; Turkeyen and Tain Campuses, was approved by the House.
Monies totalling $410M was also sought and approved for last October’s “Exercise Greenheart” which was initiated to test the preparedness of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

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