The Public Buildings is considered to be one of the finest architectural structures in Guyana.  Located in the heart of the capital city of Georgetown, close to Stabroek Market and the Demerara River, the two-storied brick building features a low dome, two wings and a portico.  The building was constructed in 1832 according to the plan of architect Joseph Hadfield and was formally handed over to the British colonial legislature on 5th August, 1834.

Over the years, the building housed the Parliament Chamber and various public administration offices and ministries.

Today, most offices in the Public Buildings relate to parliamentary matters and are directed by the Clerk of the National Assembly.  However, there are still limited facilities for Members of Parliament.

The Parliament Chamber, the room in which debates of the National Assembly takes place, is located on the top floor of the eastern wing of the building.  The Chamber is arranged according to the Westminster tradition, with government and opposition members facing each other across wooden tables.

Members of the party obtaining the most votes in a general election form the government and sit to the right of the Speaker.  Members of the opposition parties sit to the left of the Speaker.  Members of Parliament sit in assigned seats, which reflect to some extent the party’s hierarchy.  There is a public gallery behind a rail, opposite the Speaker’s chair, with a seating capacity for 72 persons.  Seating is also available for the media and for special guests.

Adjacent to the Parliament Chamber is a Lobby where Members of Parliament can discuss matters privately and make telephone calls.  Behind the Lobby, there is a Committee Room where Parliamentary Committees meet and where refreshments are served to Members during a suspension of a National Assembly Sitting.  In the center of the Committee Room is a large table made of the local greenheart wood, a gift from Willems Timber and Trading Company Limited.  The table was in the center of the Parliament Chamber when it was used by the British Colonial State Council in 1953 and then by the Senate from 1961 to 1964.  It was moved to the Committee Room when Guyana’s Legislature again became unicameral (consisting of a single legislative chamber) in 1964.

One of the most striking features of the Chamber is the ceiling, coffered and painted in 1875 by the Italian artist, Cesar Castellani.  The chamber also features an elaborately carved Speaker’s chair made of teak wood, an Independence (1966) gift from the Government of India; a table and three chairs for the clerks, and a Sergeant-at-Arms’ chair, an Independence gift from the British House of Commons; two paintings, of Arthur Chung, Guyana’s first ceremonial President (1970-1980)and of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Guyana’s first executive President (1980-1985); and a gilded clock, depicting the rays of the sun, a gift from the Demerara company Limited (1954).

The Members of Parliament Lounge area which formerly housed the Registry Department has been converted to a modernized lobby, kitchenette and offices for Members of Parliament. The renovation commenced in 2004 and was completed in 2005.  On the upper floor, four new rooms were constructed for use by Chairpersons of Committees and two large offices for use by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the Leader of the Opposition Party, respectively.  On the lower floor, a large lobby was created for Members of Parliament dining room and a kitchenette for the preparation of meals and snacks during sittings of the National Assembly and Committee Meetings.

 

PARLIAMENT OFFICE

The Parliament Office contributes to the effective functioning of the National Assembly under the direction of the Speaker.  It also provides administrative support to the National Assembly and the Clerk.

Clerk and Deputy Clerk
The Clerk, assisted by the Deputy Clerk, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Parliament Office.  Their duties include preparing Order Papers and other parliamentary documents for National Assembly sittings, providing procedural advice and information as requested by the Speaker and Members of Parliament, preparing bills as approved by the National Assembly for the President’s signature and producing and maintaining records of the National Assembly.

The Clerk also serves as the liaison between the Parliament of Guyana and those international organizations in which it holds membership, such as the Amazonian Parliament, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and its Caribbean Regional grouping, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Parliament Office is also responsible for all financial disbursement to Members of Parliament with the Deputy Clerk serving as the Accounting Officer.  The Deputy Clerk also coordinates all human resources and the physical maintenance of the Public Buildings.

The positions of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk are Constitutional offices; thereto appointments are made by the President acting on advice from the Speaker.  All other Parliament Office staffs are appointed by the Public Service Commission after consultation with the Clerk.

Reportorial
The Reportorial section facilitates the production and printing of the verbatim records of the National Assembly (Hansards) and its committees.

Maintenance and Security
This section assists with the maintenance, cleaning and internal security of the Public Buildings.

Budgeting and Finance
The Budgeting and Finance section supports Parliament Office’s operation by ensuring the availability of funds for activities undertaken by the National Assembly, its Committees and the Parliament Office.

Central Accounts
The Central Accounting unit supports the Parliament Office’s execution of its programmes and ensures proper accountability in accordance with the rules and regulations.

Expenditure, Planning and Management
The Expenditure, Planning and Management unit assists with the fiscal and expenditure planning of the National Assembly and its Committees.

Human Resources
The Human Resources section is responsible for providing the Parliament Office staff with the most suitable working environment which allows for job satisfaction, job security, promotional opportunities, training and for their general welfare.

Registry
The Registry maintains the records of the National Assembly, its Committees and the Parliament Office.  The Registry also provides the messenger service for the Parliament Office.

Procedural and Sale of Legislation
The Procedural and Sale of Legislation section assists with the processing of Bills, Acts and Regulations, and ensures adequate supplies of legislation for distribution and sale.

Committee
The Committee Division provides clerical and administrative support to ensure the efficient functioning of various Committees.

Transportation
This section provides the transportation requirements of the Parliament Office.

Parliamentary Library Documentation and Resource
The Parliamentary Library utilizes up to date computer technologies to maintain and record all the Parliamentary documents.  The Library provides research services to the Members of Parliament, Judges, Lawyers, Students and other Government Officials.

Information Technology Department
This Department is responsible for the proper functioning, upgrading and management of all computers and networks in the Public Buildings.  It also provides end users support for Members of Parliament and Staff.