At the Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, July 18, 2013, the Alliance For Change was fully prepared to support the Hydro-Electric Power (Amendment) Bill 2013. This Bill provides for the conservation and preservation of the environment and eco-systems surrounding the hydroelectric resources of Guyana. The AFC supports any rational measure to protect the environment.
A Motion brought by the Government seeking approval to raise the guarantee of loans by public corporations and companies to $150 billion was not going to be supported by the AFC given our concerns that to do so could result in greater debt burden that would eventually have to be borne by taxpayers.
In pledging its support for the Hydroelectric Bill, the AFC sought to ensure that the Government in turn would support the four Local Government Bills which had already passed through Special Select Committee.
The behaviour of the government, in not even speaking on these Bills clearly demonstrated total reluctance on their part to have Local Government Elections.
Despite securing the principled support of the AFC for the Hydroelectric Bill, the PPPC Members of Parliament attempted to force the AFC to support either both the Bill and the Motion, or none at all.
The ‘bullyism’ and attempt to dominate the National Assembly by the minority PPPC Government forced the AFC to withhold its support for the Hydroelectric Bill.
The AFC remains committed to clean energy and in this context will await the findings of the IDB feasibility study on the Amaila Hydropower Project. The AFC’s support for the Project hinges on the results of the study.
The government’s position yesterday clearly indicates that the holding of Local Government Elections; a must for most Guyanese citizens, is not a priority for the PPPC. [END]
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