– despite $400,000 rent being paid by State
The Committee of Supply approved the 2025 budgetary allocations for several constitutional agencies during the consideration of expenditure estimates in the National Assembly on Monday.
However, the government’s primary concern is the ongoing ineffective functioning of the Leader of the Opposition office.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira explained that while the budget for the opposition leader’s office remains unchanged at $32.5 million its doors are closed.
She pointed out that correspondence must now be sent to Congress Place, the PNCR party headquarters in Sophia.
“Rent is being paid for this building of $400,000 per month…I raised that to ask you that if you have an office, can it be functional just to make it easier for us who have to interact with the Leader of the Opposition?” the minister stated.
She added that wages and salaries for the opposition leader remain the same and reflect the 10 per cent increase. It also covers National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, gratuity, vacation allowance, fuel, janitorial services, refreshments, telephone, water, internet and other supplies.
The Parliament Office was granted $2.1 billion, with $55 million allocated for furniture and equipment and $76.2 million for building rental and maintenance.
Minister Teixeira explained that hosting 20 parliamentary sittings at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) costs approximately $9 million.
The opposition questioned why parliament is held at the ACCC instead of the Public Buildings on Brickdam, given that youth parliament and other meetings are conducted there.
“We still have COVID around us. And we are still expected to carry out certain sanitary [precautions] and the chambers have used the opportunity to do a lot of repairs in the meantime while we are not in the way,” the minister explained.
A total of $1.6 billion was also approved for the Audit Office of Guyana, while the Public/Police Service Commission received $240.6 million, with $9.9 million allocated for equipment and furniture.
The sum of $201.9 million was approved for the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).
Funding for several other bodies was also approved as outlined below.
Constitutional bodiesFunds ApprovedSupreme Court of Judicature$5.8 billionOffice of the Ombudsman$72 millionPublic Service Appellate Tribunal $77.8 millionEthnic Relations Commission$335.4 millionJudicial Service Commission$30.6 millionRights Commission of Guyana$198.9 millionPublic Procurement Commission$275.8 millionPublic Prosecutions$637.5 million
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