Meeting between His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President
of the Republic of Guyana and Mr. Robert Corbin, MP, Leader of
the People’s National Congress Reform and Leader of the
Opposition
on Monday 2003 September 15 at the
Office of the President
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Robert Corbin,
Leader of the Opposition, met on Monday 2003 September 15. Both
Leaders were accompanied by their respective High Representatives.
The meeting was dedicated to a comprehensive
review of the agreements made in the 2003 May 6 Communiqué
and the Follow-Up Agreement of 2003 June 18.
During the review process, the progress of implementation
of agreements made in the Communiqué of 2003 May 6 and
the Follow-up agreement of 2003 June18 was acknowledged and outstanding
matters addressed.
Staffing and Physical Facilities for the National Assembly:
It was agreed that the PUC should urgently conclude
arrangements for their removal from the Public Buildings. 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.
The removal of the PUC would enable the early
commencement of work for the modification of the building to serve
the needs of the staff and committees of the National Assembly
and allow for the installation of Information Technology and Communication
(ITC) capacity.
Every effort would be made to complete installations
by the end of the Parliamentary Recess.
The organisation and staffing of the Office of
the National Assembly has already been agreed. However, further
recruitment must await the availability of suitable accommodation
at the Public Building.
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.
Appointment of the Members of the Constitutional Service
Commissions:
The President and the Leader of the Opposition
agreed to seek 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 Appointment of the Commissions for Women
and Gender Equity, Indigenous Peoples and the Rights of the Child:
The Appointive Committee has already begun implementing
the constitutionally mandated consultative process for the appointment
of the members of these Commissions.
Remuneration for Members of Constitutional Commissions:
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.
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 next week 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 meet 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.
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 will be submitted by
Friday 2003 September 19.
Thereafter, 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.
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.
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.
Agreements for the Electricity Sector:
The Government of Guyana will verify whether
the agreements were all tabled in the National Assembly.
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 will confer to settle the details necessary
for this to be done.
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.
2003 September 17.
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Wednesday,
September 17, 2003