AGENDA

1. CONTRACTS

2. APPOINTMENTS

3. UPDATE: COMMUNIQUÉ

4. PARLIAMENT

5. LEGAL AID

6. INCREASED HOUSING LOAN THRESHOLD

CONTRACTS

HOME AFFAIRS - 2003-07-08
Purchase of Communication Hardware for the Guyana Police Force
G$6,063,000

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT - 2003-07-08
Purchase of one (1) backhoe for the National Parks Commission - Guyana Zoological Park
G$10,395.00

WORKS - 2003-07-08
Construction of the intersection/access road to the CARICOM Headquarters
G$14,992,250

HOUSING - 2003-07-08
Construction of roads, drains and culverts at Foulis Housing Scheme, East coast Demerara
G$232,592,584

LEGAL AID

The Government of Guyana committed itself to provide legal aid to eligible Guyanese in 2003.

The Government of Guyana considered proposals and has furthered discussions with the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic on that subject.

Cabinet has now agreed in principle with a reformed Legal Aid Clinic managing the provision of that Legal Aid services to Guyanese.

In the most initial phase of the approved proposal, the Government would provide State lawyers to provide the services internally in Regions 3, 4 and 5.

The Government of Guyana would also be responsible for the cost of managing the joint activity.

UPDATE: COMMUNIQUÉ - WEEK 9

The Communiqué, its follow-up Agreement and implementation of the agreements continue to be the centre piece of Government and Opposition political engagements.

On the Parliamentary front, progress with implementation has been consistent particularly with respect to appointment to Parliamentary and other Constitutional Bodies and operationalising of the Parliamentary Management Committee.

Still being discussed are:-
* Supporting Parliament in its new role;
* Renumeration of MPs;
* the Rights Commission Establishment.

In the new Parliamentary Sector, the Bipartisan Committees are working to conclude their tasks of:-
* Identifying the list of Depressed Committees for the Leaders to consider;
* Concluding the Local Government Reform initiatives.

The Disciplined Forces Commission has been established. Regrettably, the PNC/R nominee has yet to take the Oath of Office as her final arrangements are being determined.

Soon the commitment to institute a monitoring/reporting mechanism would be implemented and the monthly briefings by the representatives of the two sides, to a broad cross section of Guyanese interest would commence.

PARLIAMENT

The new style Parliament has markedly increased activities apart from the sitting of the National Assembly.

For the current week, many Parliamentary Committees would be meeting to discuss business.

The Thursday sitting of the National Assembly would see the introduction of the Constitutional Reform Bills on Fundamental Rights and another specifically on sexual orientation.

Also under consideration would be the Maritime Anti-narcotics Smuggling Bill also known as “SHIPRIDER” and reports from Parliamentary Committees.

Importantly, Parliament would be considering the report and motion on consultation with bodies representing Public Officers.

A Bill for Repeal of the Sugar Levy Act would be tabled as would one to decontrol the price of sugar domestically.

INCREASED HOUSING LOAN THRESHOLD

Cabinet considered a recommendation from its Sub-Committee on Finance dealing with loan for housing purposes and approved an increase in the threshold for $1.5 M - $2 M GYD.

With this new arrangement, eligible lot owners will now be able to obtain bigger loans up to $2 M GYD at the lowest interest rates being offered by the financial institutions that are providing loans to home builders.

These participating institutions include New Building Society and Citizens Bank.