The AFC demands that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) be the subject of total scrutiny in the Economic Services Sector Committee of Parliament before the departure of its prime mover and shaker, Mr. Winston Brassington. In view of no oversight by the Auditor General into its affairs, and its flagrant violations of the requirements under the Companies Act to file with the Registrar of Companies an Annual Return, such a scrutiny is earnestly warranted.
NICIL has become the vehicle of choice for many of the Government’s improper financial transactions. Its Board of Directors is made up almost entirely of Ministers of Government and is chaired by Dr. Ashni Singh. The Board includes Dr. Roger Luncheon, Mr. Robert Persaud, and Mr. Manniram Prashad.
Instead of these big names ensuring that the moneys NICIL deals in and with, are properly accounted for and dealt with transparently, they have abused and misused this to do the opposite. It is now used to divert public funds into the control of the PPP politicians.
Its spending is as secretive as they have been reckless. On the direction of Cabinet, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission paid NICIL $1.8 billion to build roads which it has never properly accounted for. During the past five years NICIL received hundreds of millions as privatisation proceeds, including lands sold to John Fernandes Limited, GBTI and the Ramroop company, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc.
It was NICIL that was at the centre of tax concessions given to the Ramroop company, concessions that turned out to have been unlawfully granted by the Minister of Finance. It is at the heart of the proposed Marriot Hotel deal and indeed has been busy shopping around for any partner which would give the project legitimacy. It is believed that the funds paid to Fip Motilall to build the Amaila Falls Road came from NICIL. That contract, which everyone but Jagdeo and NICIL knew that Motilall could not deliver, was for $3 billion. Guyana is now left with no road and some junk equipment.
NICIL’s funds financed the diversion of sewage in Kingston as part of a scheme to build a hotel. Tens of millions have also been spent on related expenditure to set up another NICIL company to build that Hotel. The company was formed with two persons in control, namely, Mr. Winston Brassington and Ms. Marcia Nadir. They have been looking for any partner which would give the project legitimacy.
NICIL was also at the centre of the shenanigans to get the financing to build the Berbice River Bridge. Financing that has caused the NIS to face the real prospect of the loss of $5 billion. It also waived some half a billion dollars in interest from the Bridge company so that the private investors in the Bridge Company could be paid. It was also at the centre of the RUSAL sell-out and the disposal of government and GuySuCo properties.
NICIL has directly and indirectly participated in Government transactions worth tens of billions of dollars. The magnitude of this company’s dealings, in so much stealth, and even in sin makes it all the more necessary for the truth to be delivered to the public.
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AFC supports stronger security for fishermen
The death, damage, and damnation befalling our fishermen especially in recent months at the hands of pirates must be halted. The AFC urges the Government to immediately strengthen the security within our fishing zone to prevent the commission of so many acts of piracy.
Innocent lives are lost, catches are stolen, along with engines and other expensive fishing equipment.
The crisis has far-reaching repercussions which affect families and their livelihoods directly Even the price of fish within the communities which depend on it for their nutritional needs is affected.
The AFC urges the Ministry of Home Affairs to organize a system of permitting outbound fishing boats to carry arms. Upon their return, these arms must be accounted for at the nearest police station or the nearest fishing complex, by the fishermen who went on the outbound trip. This is the system used in Suriname by its fishermen. It encourages a confidence for those in the industry, and it deters those criminal elements in the high seas who feel they can act with impunity. Our fishermen must be allowed to defend themselves through these licensed firearms which they will carry.
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AFC zero tolerance on corruption!
The Alliance For Change has noted the intention of the PPP/C to bring to the National Assembly two financial papers No. 7/2011 and No.8/2011 seeking approval for $5.6 billion in supplementary funds. This is money that was not in the National Budget and which the PPP/C government would have spent during the latter part of last year. Earlier in the year, the Ninth Parliament, with a PPP/C majority had passed Financial papers approving earlier spending from the Contingencies Fund. The Contingencies Fund is there to address exactly what its name suggests; provide contingency funding in the event of a situation that was not expected or catered for in the National Budget.
The PPP/C, and in particular Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, ought to know that there are specific laws governing spending from the Contingencies Fund. In previous Parliaments, the PPP/C had used their majority in the House to pass appropriations from the Contingencies Fund and the AFC suspects that they were counting on a majority win to continue their abuse of state funds but, the people of Guyana have put an end to their despotic behaviour. The PPP/C will now be hard pressed to explain these abuses.
The AFC wishes to make clear to the PPP/C that its skulduggery of the past will not be allowed to continue. The PPP/C must understand that a different political dispensation now operates and all activities of the government will come under closer scrutiny. This especially applies to the spending of state funds.
The AFC reiterates its zero tolerance on corruption and 100 per cent support for transparency and accountability!
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Immediate interventions needed at Red Village, Essequibo
In light of the current crises in the Onderneeming Red Village Housing Scheme, the Alliance For Change calls on the Government of Guyana to act with respect for and preservation of human life by immediately addressing the following:
- The availability of potable water
- Proper disposal of Waste materials from the Suddie hospital
- An investigation into the construction of roads in the area.
Residents of the Red Village community are living on the verge of a health crisis due to neglect by the PPP/C government and this callous and inconsiderate treatment must not be meted out to any Guyanese citizen.
The AFC is also calling for an audit of all funds collected as toll for loam and sand transported from the area.
In addition, those contractors responsible for faulty and sub-standard road rehabilitation and repairs must be held accountable and their names must be publicized as a statement of further action.
Immediate corrective efforts must be made to protect the school children who are at great risk attending a school that has no water supply. This is a most insanitary situation and totally unacceptable. It is a peril to the health of all the pupils and teachers at the school. The Minister of Education is asked to act immediately to remedy this situation.
The AFC is calling on the Government to immediately address all of the above issues.
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