The AFC once again reiterates that the foundations of Guyana’s democracy continue to crumble at the hands of the PPP Government. Its governance leaves much to be desired. It is tearing and twisting cutting and carving our governing institutions into a Caesarism and despotism that will soon lead to a place none of us want to be in. And this it does by a small group of corrupt and cunning Ministers who prey on the privations of suffering Guyanese, and manage to seemingly win their quiet resignation.
The AFC sees a seething vexation on the ground by ordinary Guyanese, fomented by the high cost of living; but which is felt tenfold worse because it is happening in an oil and gas rich Guyana which the Coalition Government so substantially created and contributed to. This is a result of a mismanagement of oil monies flowing directly and indirectly from this new sector.
In the 2023 Budget Debate, the AFC made it clear that in these trying times, less monies should be spent on infrastructure and more on social welfare (increase in salaries, pensions) which will soften the impact for working people and poor. Our alternative was voted down with the PPP having its say and way in that Parliamentary vote.
Today we see another example of bad governance when a Palmyra Cricket Stadium will be built priced at $3.4B out of $20B Exxon is giving the Government. A project such as this ought to have been deliberated on in our National Assembly. It does appear that a clever bypass has mutually been agreed to by Exxon and the Government. Instead of pursuing a renegotiated deal which will see these sums in the Natural Resources Fund, and therefore subject to Parliamentary deliberation and scrutiny, this clever piece of scheming is allowing spendings at the behest of the PPP with no public deliberation and institutional scrutiny by the elected representatives of Guyana. This seems to be an escape route from transparency and good governance and even the provisions of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and the Procurement Act.
On the latter matter, the AFC notes that the company to build the stadium is Caribbean Green Building Inc. It was granted such a contract without any procuring process whatsoever. This is so shameless.
As regards the spending of this sum of $3.4B the AFC’s alternative approach would have been to enhance with small spanking stadiums and all other facilities the community grounds at Skeldon, Whim, Port Morant, Albion, Canje/Rosehall and Edinburgh. This approach would be far more beneficial and directly impactful for young people and the sporting community in Region 6.
We all know how well the PPP kills mockingbirds. The PPP is now venturing forth to kill a democracy.
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