On Day 1 of the 2024 Budget Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure, Honourable Mrs. Volda Lawrence, Member of Parliament, questioned the budgetary allocation for the Commissioner of Information Office.
Mrs. Lawrence’s inquiry uncovered that the eight million plus is divided up to facilitate the Commission’s salary, vacation allowances, and other day-to-day operations. The Commissioner’s salary and vacation allowances are paid for with forty (40) million Guyana dollars, while the office’s operating needs are met with twelve point five (12.5) million.
The Commissioner of Information was identified as Retired Judge Charles Ramson Senior, the Access to Information Act establishes the position of Commissioner of Information, who is appointed at the President’s discretion.
Other topics covered during the exchange between MP Lawerence and Minister Texiera included the upkeep of the structures affiliated with the President’s Office, the payment of obligations to Guyana Power and Light, and the payment of rates and taxes. Queries were also made about the maintenance of the ministry’s fleet of more than thirty cars, which comes to an estimated annual total of eighteen million Guyana dollars.