– AFC, APNUThe administration’s failure to take timely sanctions for failures on a number of multi-million-dollar contracts and possible fraud at state agencies has seen a number of concerns raised by the Parliamentary Opposition.A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday criticized the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for “refusing to take action despite knowing that hundreds of millions of dollars may have been wasted or stolen through fraud or corrupt practices”.There has not been any serious reported case of civil servants being taken before the courts for the recovery of monies nor charges laid for any corruption in recent times.Government has been denying that there is serious corruption in Guyana. While the administration has said it penalized contractors for under-performance and tardiness, it has not been forthcoming in providing information on how many, if any, financial sanctions there may have been.According to APNU, issues like the investigations at National Communications Network (NCN); the delays and suspension of Synergy Holdings as the contractor of access roads to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project site; the spending of taxpayers’ money on the Marriott Hotel and the EZjet fiasco, are but a few of the instances where legitimate questions are being asked as to how state funds are being spent.President Donald Ramotar“APNU calls for accountability and transparency in all of government and calls on President (Donald) Ramotar to show leadership,” the 10-party coalition, which has 26 seats in the National Assembly, said yesterday.BE ACCOUNTABLE“APNU once again calls on the government of Guyana to be accountable to the people of Guyana. APNU once again registers a lack of confidence in the way this government has handled several major projects in a less than transparent manner.”APNU and AFC have a combined 33 seats, compared to the ruling party’s 32, in the National Assembly.Since losing its majority in the National Assembly following the November 28th,
Jerseys From China, 2011 General and Regional Elections, it has not been smooth sailing for the PPP/C. It suffered a significant setback after the Opposition reduced the National Budget for 2012.In a rocky year, the Donald Ramotar administration also had to face an opposition which passed a no-confidence motion against Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, and which then tabled a motion to gag him in the National Assembly.APNU made it clear yesterday that despite abundant evidence, the administration remains unmoved.“APNU notes with great concern that even though in many cases there has been clear evidence of corruption and poor governance, no one has been held accountable. No government or other officials have ever been punished for the millions of taxpayer dollars that have been wasted or misappropriated on the poorly constructed infrastructure; ill-conceived purchases; projects done without proper feasibility and environmental studies; just to name a few.”APNU said that it strongly feels that the taxpayers of Guyana deserve a government that is “honest and accountable, a government they can trust. A government that is judicious with the nation’s treasure and not one that uses companies like NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited), as a personal piggy bank for major projects and purchases that have not been sanctioned by the people’s representative (Parliament).”PUNISHMENTAPNU urged government to understand that it has a responsibility to ensure public officials adhere to high ethical standards and that those who fail to measure up must be punished…“rather than give them cover to continue doing wrong.”APNU’s Carl GreenidgeMeanwhile,
Cheap NFL Jerseys, AFC’s Vice-Chairman and Parliamentarian, Moses Nagamootoo, said it is no surprise that government has taken its continued stance and is not budging.“No one should be seriously disappointed that President Ramotar has given a stiff back to the episodes of corruption at places such as NCN, NDIA and several other public entities.”Nagamootoo, a former senior PPP/C executive, believes that the party could face serious internal backlash if action is taken against officials.“If he (President Ramotar) was to take drastic action it is feared that the PPP regime could implode. The PPP/C is too busy circling the wagon to protect the moribund corrupt breed than to listen to rational voices like Ralph Ramkarran, who warned about pervasive corruption, or respond to bodies such as Transparency International that placed Guyana at the top of the corruption index in the Commonwealth Caribbean.”The AFC official said that instead of fighting the “real monster”, the Government has invented the opposition as a threat to Guyana.“The government has failed to tackle a single act of open corruption, but instead blames the indep
