Georgetown : The Parliamentary opposition last evening disapproved the allocations of several state entities including the Presidential Guard’s allotment.
Other resources for the administrative services of the Office of the President were also cut, as well as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Integrity Commission, Go-Invest, and Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST).
The Opposition voted against the entire programme of administrative services for the Office of the President totalling $1.3B for current expenditure and $3.8 for capital.
APNU MP, Keith Scott question the decrease in allocation for contracted employees to $48.4M, and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill responded that last year the staff of the Office of the Commission of Information was paid directly from the Office of the President; however, this year, that Office is now being placed under the category as subvention agency.
With regards to an increase for fuel and lubricants under administrative services for the Office of the President, the Minister explained that this increase caters for the five new vehicles that were procured during the latter part of 2013, as well as six new vehicles to be procured this year.
With regards to the increase in allocation from $792.5M to $847.58 for subsidies and contributions to local organisations, Minister Edghill explained that this increase is largely due to the subvention to newly established Office of the Commissioner of Information.
Scott also inquired why sums for the Presidential Guard Service were not placed as a separate entity rather than be placed under the category of local organisation; Minister Edghill said that this decision is being determined by the Defence Board under the Defence Act.
Meanwhile, AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan also questioned the staff allotment and how the $139M budgeted for the agency would be spent in 2014. GINA has 39 staff and the money ($79M) will go to wages and salaries and $60M to others. Minister Edghill explained that others cover the procurement of materials, equipment, supplies, fuels, lubricant, rental and maintenance of building, travel and transportation among others. A breakdown of the allotment for each was also provided.
Questions also posted include when last the agency was audited, and the answer given was 2004 to 2007, but that the latest financial statement was with the Auditor General’s office.
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