(SUMMARY OF MATRIX SUBMIITTED BY PNC/R ON IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNIQUÉ AND FOLLOW-UP AGREEMENT TO STAKEHOLDERS’ BRIEFING HELD ON OCTOBER1, 2003 AT UNDP)
Reporting Period: From 2003 May 6 to Week Ending 2003 September 28 (21 Weeks)
ISSUE/TASK AND NAME STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Appointment Of Seven New Standing Committees: All new Standing Committees have been appointed. As a result the Committees of the National Assembly are now: Previous Sessional Select Committees: 1) Committee of Selection2) Public Accounts Committee 3) Standing Orders Committee 4) Assembly Committee 5) Committee of Privileges New Standing Committees: 1) Parliamentary Management Committee 2) Appointive Committee 3) Constitutional Reform Committee 4) Natural Resources Sectoral Committee 5) Economic Services Sectoral Committee 6) Foreign Relations Sectoral Committee 7) Social Services Sectoral Committee.
Parliamentary Management Committee: Resolution No. 16, passed by the National Assembly on 2003 May 2, provided for the establishment of the Parliamentary Management Committee. The Committee has been appointed and is functioning.
The Four Sectoral Committees: Resolution No. 19, passed by the National Assembly on 2003 May 15, provided the necessary requirements for the establishment of the four Sectoral Committees. They are: 1) Natural Resources 2) Economic Services 3) Foreign Relations 4) Social Services The four Sectoral Committees have been appointed and started their work.
The Appointive Committee: Resolution No. 17, passed by the National Assembly on 2003 May 8, provided the necessary requirements for the establishment of this Committee. The Committee has been appointed and is functioning
The Constitutional Reform Committee: The members of the Constitutional Reform Committee have been appointed. However, its functioning was delayed pending clarification of its Constitutional mandate to appoint non-Parliamentarians as members. The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed, at their meeting on 2003 September 15, that the Committee would be the responsible authority for interpreting its mandate.
Strengthening The Capacity Of The Parliament Office: The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that: § Increased budgetary resources would be required in a timely manner, in 2003, to meet the operational and other needs of the National Assembly and ensure its smooth functioning. § As a matter of priority, the Parliamentary Management Committee will undertake the on-going review of the capacity of the Parliament Office to discharge its functional responsibilities to the National Assembly
Increasing the Administrative Capacity of the Parliament Office: The Organisation Chart and staffing levels for the Parliament Office has already been agreed. Recruitment has started. However, further recruitment must await the availability of suitable accommodation at the Public Building.
The Provision of Research and Documentation Support for the Work of the Committees: IT Requirements: The TOR for the Needs Assessment has been agreed with the UNDP. Therefore, the IT Expert will be immediately engaged to determine the equipment and other needs for the Office of the National Assembly. Documentation and Information Services: The technical needs for the establishment of modern Documentation and Information services will be identified by the Needs Assessment. Documentation and Information Staff: Recruitment has been initiated. Professional Research Staff: The Job Descriptions for the Research Co-Ordinator and the Professional Researchers are to be provided shortly by the Representatives of the Leader of the Opposition.
Remuneration for MPs and Administrative and Logistical Support for Regional MPs: The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that the impact of the proposals made should be examined before a final decision could be made.
Physical Facilities Within the Public Building: The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed the need to enhance the physical facilities at the Public Building to support the work of the Committees and the National Assembly as a whole The PMC agreed plans for the physical modification/ renovation of the Public Building for submission to the Office of the President. The PUC’s early removal would enable the work to modify the building for the needs of the staff and Committees of the National Assembly and enable the installation of Information Technology and Communication (ITC) capacity by the end of the Recess.
Establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission: The Seven (7) members and seven (7) alternate members took the Oath of Office and were thereby appointed. The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that, in the interim, the Ethnic Relations Commission should begin its work without the presence of the four (4) non-voting members from the Rights Commissions. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill and Mr. Normal Mc Lean, respectively, were elected at the first meeting on , 2003 August 26. The Bidco building at the corner of Peter Rose and Anira Streets has been earmarked for the location of the Commission. The Office of the President would expedite the early repairs/ modification of the building. The early appointment must be made of: § The Tribunal for the Ethnic Relations Commission. § The Chief Executive Officer and staff of the Secretariat for the Commission.
The Appointment of the Public Procurement Commission: Both Parties have submitted the names of five Nominees each with their Curriculum Vitae to the Public Accounts Committee for the evaluation and selection of the five suitably qualified persons to be recommended to the National Assembly for appointment by the President. The PAC was deadlocked, when the Parliamentary Recess began, due to differences over the approach to be used for the selection of the five Nominees. A Chief Executive Officer and staff for the Secretariat of the PPC would have to be recruited as well as a Tribunal appointed.
Appointment of the Chairperson for the Human Rights Commission: The Leader of the Opposition will begin consultations to prepare a list of eligible Nominees consistent with the constitutional formula for the appointment of the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission.
The Appointment of the Commissions for Women and Gender Equity, Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of the Child: When the Parliamentary Recess started, the Appointive Committee had already begun implementing the constitutionally mandated consultative process for the appointment of the members of these Commissions. The Appointment of the Women and Gender Equity Commission was more advanced than the others.
Appointment of the Members of the Constitutional Service Commissions: The Appointive Committee has already submitted its nominees for the Judicial Service Commission to the President for appointment. When the Parliamentary recess began, the Appointive Committee was deadlocked over the selection of the Nominees for the Public Service Commission to be appointed by the President. It should be noted that the Chairman of the Public Service Commission is constitutionally a member of the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission. The Appointive Committee has submitted the nominees for the Police Service Commission to be appointed by the President. The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that the Government would obtain legal opinion to determine whether the Police Service Commission could be constituted without the appointment of the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. The Leader of the Opposition undertook to consult further on the proposals of the President on addressing the Constitutional provisions dealing with the Police Service Commission. The members of the Teaching Service Commission still remain to be appointed, pending meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.
Remuneration of members of the Constitutional Commission: It was agreed that the levels of remuneration for Commissioners for the Constitutional Rights Commissions would be similar to those for members of the Constitutional Service Commissions.
The Public Procurement Act 2003: The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed that they would each nominate a team to meet, in the week of 2003 September 29, to examine the issues raised by the Opposition.
National Policy on Land and House lots Distribution: The PNCR will soon submit its assessment of the State Paper laid in the National Assembly by the Minister of Housing and Water.
Local Government Reform: The Joint Committee will resume its work from Monday 2003 September 22.
Depressed Communities Needs: The President and the Leader of the Opposition have agreed the projects to be implemented in Regions 6 and 10.
Radio Monopoly and Non Partisan Boards: It was agreed that: ü The consultations would begin immediately to ensure that the State Media Boards are reconstituted by 2003 October 31, in accordance with the recommendation of the Joint Broadcast Committee. ü The representatives of the President and the Leader of the Opposition will meet in the week of 2003 September 29 to seek to reconcile the Opposition’s concerns about the Draft Broadcast Bill. ü The representatives of the President and the Leader of the Opposition will begin meeting on Wednesday 2003 September 17 to consider both their proposals for giving effect to the commitment for Equitable Access by Political Parties (as distinct from Government) to the State Media.
Border and National Security Issues including the Recapitalisation of the GDF: The Joint Committee’s Report was edited and tabled in the National Assembly, on Thursday 2003 July 5. It was agreed that the Government will implement the recommendations accepted by the National Assembly and the Foreign Relations Sector Committee would monitor Government’s implementation.
Establishment of the Committee to Prepare a Comprehensive Development Programme for Region #10: The final Report of the Government’s projects and programmes being executed in Region 10 was submitted by Friday 2003 September 19. The President and the Leader of the Opposition agreed to establish a Joint Team to examine the document to determine whether it represents a comprehensive Development Programme for Region 10.
De-Politicisation of the Public Service: See section 8.
Appointment of PPP/C and PNCR Nominees to State Boards, Commissions and Committees: All the Boards, Committees and Commissions on which the PNCR would be represented have been agreed.
Appointment of the Disciplined Forces Commission: The Disciplined Forces Commission is established and all members took the Oath of Office and commenced Public hearings on 2003 August 18. Resolutions No. 21 and No.25, respectively, passed by the National Assembly on 2003 May 16 and on 2003 July 24 provides for the full establishment of the Commission under the aegis of the National Assembly.
Agreements for the Electricity Sector: The Government of Guyana will verify whether the agreements were all tabled in the National Assembly.
Establishment of Office of the Leader of the Opposition: The modalities for the establishment of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition were determined
MEETING TO DISCUSS OUTSTANDING AGENDA ITEMS: It was agreed that the President and the Leader of the Opposition will meet in two (2) weeks to commence their discussion of the De-Politicisation of the Public Service, Legislation on Crossing the Floor, Legislation establishing a Permanent Elections Commission and the PPP/C Paper on Inclusive Governance. .
OTHER MATTERS: Dissolution of the Linden Town Council and Appointment of an Interim Management Committee: It was agreed that the Linden Town Council will be dissolved in accordance with the Municipal and District Councils Act and an Interim Management Committee appointed. The representatives of the President and the Leader of the Opposition conferred and settled the details necessary for this to be done. The enquiry was completed on 2003 September 27. The Report of the Commissioner is now awaited.