Dear Editor,
At the sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday, July 21, 2022, several bills were tabled, including a Supplementary Financial Paper, Number 1 of 2022, totaling $44,794,011,175B. It is sometimes difficult to understand the modus operandi of the PPP/C administration. Before that sitting, there were two sittings of the National Assembly – on May 16, 2022 and April 13, 2022.
This is a clear indication that though the administration promised a robust Parliamentary Agenda, which is yet to be proven, the only convenient use of the National Assembly is when they, the PPP/C, needs approval for additional funds. Now the National Assembly will be heading into recess from August 9, 2022, to October 10, 2022, but a sitting is set for Monday, August 8, 2022, where the Supplementary Financial Paper will be considered. This, I find very worrying.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, in his usual manner of managing the affairs of the Assembly, will attempt to curtail questions by Members of the Opposition. Editor, the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Section 24, emphasises what is expected of the Minister of Finance when seeking Supplementary Appropriation. Section 24 (4) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act states, “the Minister, when introducing a supplementary appropriation Bill, shall present to the National Assembly the reasons for the proposed variations and provide a supplementary document describing the impact that the variations, if approved, will have on the financial plan outlined in the National Budget.” This was not done!
Further, the sum being sought by the Supplemental, represents a 4.4% increase added to the 2022 National Budget. It is my expectation and anticipation that the Minister will comply fully with what is required of him by the Financial Management and Accountability Act. As a sitting Member of the National Assembly, I witnessed the blatant and vile actions by Members on the Government side when dealing with the rule of law and Parliamentary procedures.
Guyana is in crisis, and I do not believe things will get better for Guyana and Guyanese given how the PPP/C administration is governing. Editor, I carefully examined the Supplementary Financial Paper, and it pains to see the constant and barefaced treatment of Public Servants by the PPP/C administration. The PPP/C administration has no remorse for Public Servants.
From the $44.7B being sought, GUYSCO will again benefit from an allocation of $1.431B; Indigenous Communities from an allocation of $3.116B. What is further egregious Editor, is that the Ministry of Public Service will benefit from an additional appropriation of $250M for training and development, while the Ministry of Finance is set for an appropriation of $2,059,233B for census activities by the Bureau of Standards. I highlighted these Ministries to expressly state that Supplementary Financial Paper, Number 1 of 2022 has ZERO provisions for Public Servants. How can this be fair and just?
Why are Public Servants being treated this way under the PPP/C and Ali’s administration? Well, all Guyanese see for themselves how Public Servants are treated! The high cost of living continues to rise, and still, the PPP/C administration fails to devise a strategy or plan to assist Guyanese in these trying times. Finally, I call on the Guyana Public Service Union and other unions to demand of the administration, equality and equity for its workers. They depend on you!
Sincerely,
Annette Ferguson MP
Shadow Minister Housing and
Water Sectors
