$64M to be spent for extension of E-Gov network to Timehri; $2.31B approved for Public Telecommunications

All the programmes under the Ministry of Public Telecommunications totaling some $2.31B for current and Capital expenditure was this afternoon (Tuesday December 20,2016) approved in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly.

The sum of $15M has been allocated for the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to hire consultants to address four pieces of legislation dealing with electronic transactions, data protection, intellectual property rights and electronic filing.

This information was divulged by subject Minister Cathy Hughes as she justified how funds would be spent in the upcoming year, during the Consideration of Estimates in the National Assembly on Tuesday. This amount falls under the category of ‘Other’ in the budget estimates, prompting Opposition MP, Joseph Hamilton to seek further clarifications.

Amounts under the heading Subsidies and contributions to international organizations were increased from $17M to $28M, which the Minister said is owing to the fact that Guyana was behind in some instances by 8 to 10 years in its payments, therefore this new amount will cater for a payment arrangement.

Over $114M has been allotted for the procurement of Government internet access and another $73M for securing the E-Government network infrastructure.

Another $64M would also be spent for the extension of the E-Government network to Timehri, Minister Hughes informed.

Under current expenditure, $1.86B was approved and $447.7M for Capital.

Meantime as it relates to the interconnecting of Government offices and ministries, Minister Hughes said a total of 22 agencies have been linked including the Ministry of the Presidency, the Guyana Revenue Authority, The Central Planning and Housing Authority, among others.