Georgetown: Two months into the New Year and even before the administration details its 2012 budget the Finance Minister is looking to have Guyana's "virgin" 10th Parliament approve some $5.6B in advances made from the contingencies fund.
That approval is for monies expended by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration for the period October 25 to December 31, 2011.
Guyana's General and Regional Elections were held on November 28, 2011 and the life of the 9th Parliament which should have considered this expenditure for approval came to an end prior to the elections. While the details for which the approval being sought is still unknown, according to the National Assembly’s Order Paper set for the ceremonial opening of Parliament this Friday by
Head of State, Donald Ramotar, the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, is expected to circulate the two Financial Papers.
The Financial Paper for Supplementary Provisions which is the seventh such for 2011, points to a request for $2,240,901,071.
A subsequent Financial Paper No#8/2011 is also to be tabled by Dr. Singh for a request of $3.471,047, 823 at which point in time the specific details such as which Ministry would be responsible for what allocation will be disclosed.
The Leader of the People's National Congress Reform Robert Corbin has on more than one occasion lambasted the administration’s 'abuse' of the contingencies fund saying that debates for such financial papers are but a mere formality to rectify the books as the monies have already been spent. The Guyana National Assembly will shortly be debating the requests before putting its approval to a vote.
The opposition coalition 'A Partnership For National Unity' of which the PNCR is the largest bloc, controls 27 of the Parliament's 65 seats. The remaining seven Opposition controlled seats belong to the Alliance for Change leaving the ruling People's Progressive Party Civic minority Government with 32 seats.
The debate is touted to be very revealing as it relates to how the dispensation of the current Parliament will approach Guyana's financial affairs.
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