Georgetown, Guyana.

March 31, 2022

For immediate release to all media houses.

PRESS RELEASE

Alliance For Change statements from March 31, 2023 press conference

VIDEO LINK TO PRESS CONFERENCE

https://www.facebook.com/237755025430697

THE BREAKDOWN OF THE GUARDRAILS OF DEMOCRACY CONTINUES, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT – Juretha Fernandes M.P.

It is alarming to witness the breakdown of the guardrails of democracy in Guyana. The erosion of democratic norms and institutions undermines the foundation of a free and just society. The rule of law, respect for human rights, and freedom of expression are essential pillars of democracy, and any threats to these principles must be taken seriously.

The challenges faced by independent institutions such as the media, and civil society, are a cause for concern.

The growing lack of accountability and oversight in Guyana is more serious now than ever before, as the government’s failure to ensure proper checks and balances in financial management is a leading cause of corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and a loss of trust in government institutions.

It is imperative that the government plays its role in institutions responsible for financial oversight, particularly parliamentary committees.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been under attack by the PPP/C government since their return to office. Starting from the removal of the Chair of the PAC, David Patterson, then to the amendment to the standing order to change the quorum of the PAC. The AFC warned against both actions and today we are witnessing the reason behind such actions. Since the amendment to the standing order that required three members present to have a quorum to now requiring that two members from government, two from opposition and the chair must be present to constitute a quorum, the PAC meeting has been cancelled 12 times. All on the account of the PPP/C members’ absence.

The functioning of the PAC is crucial to ensuring financial oversight and it is concerning that the PAC has not been meeting regularly especially with an accumulated backlog of 3 years Auditor General’s reports still to be examined. This delays the crucial process of ensuring accountability and transparency in the government’s financial management, which is essential for good governance. It is essential that the committee meets regularly and expeditiously examines the reports to ensure that any irregularities or misuse of public funds are identified and addressed

promptly. The committee must fulfil its duty to the people of Guyana and ensure that public resources are being used for the benefit of the nation.

Citizens also have a role to play in ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. The media, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders must remain vigilant and actively monitor government spending. Citizens must also demand access to information about government finances and hold elected officials accountable for their actions.

A prime example of the PPP/C’s government lack of transparency is the current E-ID that saw a contract being signed without any parliamentary oversight or supporting legislation, and no public consultation. The Alliance For Change continues to call for full accountability into this transaction that is sunk in secrecy and calls on the PPP to stop spending tax payers dollars haphazardly. Major questions on data integration, data protection, privacy, are yet to be answered by government.

The lack of financial oversight and accountability is a significant challenge for Guyana’s development and it is crucial that the government takes urgent action to address these issues and ensure that public funds are used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all Guyanese citizens.

Violence in schools a symptom of a greater ill

The Alliance For Change has taken note of the increase in violence in schools. Over the past few months there have been reports where either teachers or students have been victims of violence either in the school or close school environs.

Even the GTU President has admitted that several teachers were attacked this year and we are only at the end of the first quarter of the year. Some incidents have made it into the public domain but many others where students are assaulted go unreported.

These attacks on teachers whether by students, school leavers or adults is indicative of the decay eating away at our society where the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ continues to widen. The situation is complex.

1. There now exists a situation where those close to the seat of power believe and operate as though they are beyond reproach, where they derive power by association and can do whatever they want to whomever they want.
2. There are those who believe that they can buy, bribe, or pay their way out of any situation.
3. Then there are the ‘have-nots’ who are barely able to survive from one day to the next and watch in frustration and growing resentment as the wealth of the other group multiplies and they can’t pay their bills and it’s a struggle to put food on the table. Children see and share in the suffering of their parents and become angry when they see their parents working hard yet not able to make ends meet and are likely to act out that anger in acts of violence.

A society where teachers are physically and verbally assaulted by students and their families cannot, just cannot develop. Where are we going as a nation when a judge is accused of abusing a teacher in her school, a pupil can get his relatives to give his teacher a trashing, youth gangs can run in a school leaving a young teacher all bloodied in their wake, a teacher feels compelled to defend herself with a cutlass, where are we headed?

While the Party supports calls for increased security at schools and for perpetrators to face the full extent of the law, these are only band-aid remedies to a festering sore. When the potential victim leaves the safety of the school yard the threat still exists. What happens then?

In addition to increased security at schools, there is also the need for student councillors in each school who can identify potential problems and work with students, especially troubled teens, to make responsible choices and where needed, work with the parents or guardians of these students.

But, in addition to such measures, we must develop a society where each citizen believes they can get a fair share of this fast growing economic pie. The divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ must be bridged. This environment where citizens not aligned to the government perceive that they are being discriminated against and fear victimization if they speak out cannot continue. The anger and resentment is growing and the violence in schools that we are witnessing is but a symptom of where such a practice will lead us.

END.

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