Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 09, 2016 Sports
The National Assembly approved $931,018,292 in excessive spending incurred by Government for the period ending June 28, 2016.
The sum of $234,716,110 which was sought from the Contingency Fund was approved by the House for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, for the increased expenditure which resulted from the ‘unexpected’ prolonged dry season (El Nino).
This occurrence affected several Regions including Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice, Six (East Berbice Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
The Financial Paper illustrated a breakdown of this expenditure. It was revealed that contributing to the sum of $193,283,360; $139,833,360 was utilised for fuel and lubricants; $36M for equipment maintenance and $17,450,000 for the transportation of equipment.
Due to increased rainfalls and rising water levels, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, said that there was a need to address flooding of several areas in Region Five.
Of the $41,432,750, a total of $16,643,750 was expended for fuel and lubricants; $4,080,000 for transportation of equipment; $8,140,000 for the provision and operation of tractor pumps; $4,489,000 for contracted excavation works and $8,080,000 for other works including procurement of fuel drums, stop logs, etc.
This particular item came under heavy scrutiny from Members of Parliament (MPs) on the opposite side who quizzed the Minister on the quantity of pumps and their specific location.
Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali, queried whether Minister Noel Holder was aware that he breached the Constitution, since Ali is of the opinion that given the guidelines for spending from the Contingency Fund, the monies should have been taken rather, from the Contingency Fund.
However, the Minister maintained that he was not in breach of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, approval was given for the monies that were spent by the Ministry of Public Health – Regional and Clinical Services for “Rental of Buildings”.
The provision being sought was for the provision of rental of the New Guyana Pharmaceuticals Corporation (New GPC), for the storage of Pharmaceuticals for the period March to June 2016 amounting to $38,541,250 as well as payment of rental to the Linden Holding Company – as per Cabinet decision – for the month of July and a security deposit of $25M.
The National Assembly also approved $20M for Office Materials and Supplies for the Guyana Defence Force. The Financial Paper illustrated that the amount was to offset expenses for the procurement of maps and writing material which aided the development of orders and other related documents in support of the State’s 46th Republic Anniversary Celebrations, the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations and the intensifying of operation DRAGNET.
Approval was given for Vehicles Spares and Services amounting to $35M for the GDF. According to Financial Paper, the provisions aided in offsetting expenditure incurred for intensifying operations DRAGNET in support of the 48th Republic Anniversary Celebrations and the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
Also, monies were spent to ensure maximum serviceability and operational readiness of the GDF’s Fleet of vehicles – which was cited as ‘necessary’ during the heightened period of Operation DRAGNET.
$46M was also approved by the National Assembly for hired aircraft to satisfy routine maintenance issues and operational requirements, since it was stated that the GDF fleet of aircraft are unserviceable for varying periods over the past months.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, stated that presently the Y12 and Skyvan Aircrafts are unserviceable due to maintenance issues, and added that additional funding was therefore necessary for the hiring of air, sea and land transportation for other operational related activities such as operation DRAGNET.
$33M for provision to offset expenses for laundering uniforms, rental of tents and other equipment in support of the intensification of operation DRAGNET for the 46th Republic Day and 50th independence Anniversary Celebrations, was also given the green light by the House.
$54M for the provision for operational readiness of ranks for parades that ensured the success of operation DRAGNET over the 46th Republic Anniversary Celebrations was also approved by the National Assembly ($50,227,300) and funeral expenses $3,772,700.
Maintenance of Drainage and Irrigation Works amounting to $41,002,620 for Region Six for the provision for additional resources to pay for emergency excavation works done in various areas within Region Six, including Eversham, Bush Lot, Maida, Adventure, Kildonan, Bengal, Letter Kenny, Nos. 73 and 74 Middle Walk, No 72 Intake Canal and Chine Cross Canal to Kilmarnock Village was also approved by the National Assembly.
The House also approved the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s $406, 758,312 to complete the Durban Park Development Project to facilitate the hosting of 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
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Apr 19, 2024
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