Dear Editor,
One could not help noting recently in the press a flurry of exchanges intending to address legal issues, amongst which was that concerning the Deeds and Commercial Registries, with expansive reference to private status – self-confused, and simultaneously misleading the public.
Who was it that said that ‘one is entitled to one’s own opinion, but not to one’s own facts.’ Well the following are the facts, as extracted from the authoritative volumes of the Estimates 2014 presented to the National Assembly.
Pages 236-237
Agency: Ministry of Legal Affairs
Programme 525: Deeds Registry
The Budget for 2014 is shown as $29,6381 as compared with revised 2013 $83,930.
It would be helpful if interested parties can be provided with an explicit clarification of the above organisation and job structures, particularly in light of the following.
Page 617 – Appendix T Budgets of Statutory Bodies
Deeds and Commercial Registries
The Glossary at page 625 defines Statutory as follows:
Page 625
Statutory – A fixed authority approved in legislation other than an appropriation Act that remains in force until any specified conditions are met, or if it is repealed or amended by subsequent legislation
Central Housing & Planning Authority
National Sports Commission
National Trust
University of Guyana
Board of Governors, GTI
Transport & Harbour Department
Was there not a reference to privatisation?
The Budget includes the following:
Total Revenue of $1,369,165 – same as Total Recurring Revenue.
Total Expenditure is shown as $ 753,191; while Recurrent Expenditure is $311,891, with Capital Expenditure at $441,300.
What would be helpful is for the general public to be provided with a more comprehensive statement clarifying which is the correct organisation structure, including a table of the skills and competences attributed to this Statutory Body.
Such information would help to put paid to any arguments about the construct of the Deeds and Commercial Registries.
Yours faithfully,
B. John
