{"id":3574,"date":"2021-12-31T04:01:40","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T08:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energiesnet.com\/espanol\/?p=3574"},"modified":"2021-12-31T04:01:44","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T08:01:44","slug":"guyana-news-updates-december-30-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energiesnet.com\/espanol\/guyana-news-updates-december-30-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Guyana News Updates – December 30, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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PPP\/C pushes through controversial NRF Bill<\/strong>:<\/strong> Stabroek News<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

-despite boisterous objections from Opposition   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

-ignores civil society concerns<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring mounting calls from civil society and an in-House protest from the Opposition to send the controversial Natural Resource Fund Bill to a Special Select Committee for debate and consultations, the PPP\/C last night blazed ahead with the passage of the controversial legislation. Boisterous chants from the opposition APNU+AFC members, whistles, and even an attempt to grab the Speaker\u2019s Mace did not deter Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh from forging ahead with the second and third readings of the Bill to allow for its passage after some order had been restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition to ramp up protests against new NRF law: <\/strong>Kaieteur News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026threatens court action against \u2018wholesale thievery of oil money\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scores of Guyanese on Wednesday picketed in front of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)\u2014where a sitting of the National Assembly was being held to protest their opposition to the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP\/C) Government\u2019s rush to pass a new Natural Resources Bill, which many have since condemned as a move to legalise wholesale thievery of Guyana\u2019s oil revenues. The Bill aimed at replacing the NRF Act in place already in order to give sweeping powers and control over the oil fund and its use by the sitting President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government condemns Opposition\u2019s defilement of National Assembly:<\/strong> Guyana Chronicle<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Statement from the Government of Guyana) The Natural Resources Fund Act of 2021 was passed and is now lawful. The Natural Resources Fund Bill, No. 21 of 2021, was passed in the National Assembly of Guyana on December 29, 2021, despite the Opposition\u2019s despicable and reprehensible behaviour to block its passage in the National Assembly. The 2019 Act stands successfully repealed at the moment and has been replaced by this hallmark piece of legislation which will ensure the security, transparency and accountability that Guyanese need in order to benefit from the oil and gas revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private Sector Commission throws full support behind Natural Resource Fund Bill: <\/strong>News Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body says its sub-committee on Economic on Finance noted that the operationalization of the NRF will provide the much-needed resources which Guyana needs at this critical juncture for its development of National Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education and to mitigate the impending effects of Climate Change. The Private Sector Commission today threw its weight behind the passage of the Natural Resource Fund legislation in its current form even though its sister private sector body the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for the passage of the legislation to be delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More time needed for public input on wealth fund bill, says GCCI: <\/strong>OilNOW<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) says while it commends the Guyana government for its effort at attempting to improve public accountability and transparency with respect to the management and operation of the Natural Resources Fund, more time is needed for public input on the new proposed legislation. \u201cOverall, the GCCI is pleased with the Bill\u2019s general adherence with the international benchmark for Sovereign Wealth Funds, commonly referred to as the \u2018Santiago Principles\u2019,\u201d GCCI said in a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Society groups, PNCR, ANUG worried about planned withdrawal of oil revenues: <\/strong>Demerara Waves<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four civil society organisations, People\u2019s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) are worried that the Irfaan Ali-led administration is setting the stage to waste Guyana\u2019s oil revenues under the guise of emergency use. The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), the pro-inclusionary democracy non-government organisation Article 13, and Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) said the Natural Resource Fund Bill would allow the government to withdraw US$1,250 million of the first US$2 billion but that would not include withdrawals for emergency financing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Society Member withdraws signature from letter objecting to NRF Bill:<\/strong> News Room<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

— says he now has a clearer understanding of govt’s objectives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See below letter by Charles Sugrim, a member of the Civil Society Group that objected to the proposed amendments of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill: I have read the amendments to the bill that Parliament is expected to debate tomorrow. I believe that I rushed to put my name on the objection of the bill. Having read it, the proposals on the bill are as follows: There should be a management team made up of a Board of Directors of 9-10 persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NY Democracy Group supports Guyana\u2019s Local Content & NRF legislation | INews Guyana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NY Democracy Group supports Guyana’s Local Content & NRF legislation<\/a><\/blockquote>