The coalition Government has, over the past few months, come under severe fire for the manner in which it is spending tax payers’ money. It seems as if, almost every week, there is a scandal of some sort, with the Government doing very little to assuage the concerns of the populace. In fact, in their attempt to do damage control, minsters, almost on every occasion, further embarrass the Government.
For example, citizens were made aware that two Government ministers were benefitting from full scholarships being paid for by the State only after questions were raised in the Parliament during consideration of 2017 Budget estimates. It was clear that the administration wanted to withhold critical information, such as the cost of the scholarships, who were the beneficiaries, and on what basis they were selected.
Then there was the controversial drug bond deal, which saw then Public Health Minister Dr George Norton coming under severe pressure for advancing some $25 million to Larry Singh for the use of his building – Linden Holding Inc – for the storage of Government medicines. In justifying the request for the ‘emergency’ expenditure and the reasons for choosing the company selected, the minister made a number of statements in the National Assembly which were found to be inaccurate. In fact, many viewed the minister’s action as a deliberate attempt to mislead the National Assembly and the entire nation over a transaction which could at best be described as highly questionable.
After much public outcry, he apologized and was transferred to another ministry.
Mere weeks after, the minister who replaced Dr Norton — Volda Lawrence — was not even properly settled in her new position when she was forced to defend her ministry awarding to a foreign company a $605M drug contract given under highly questionable circumstances. Again, only after huge public pressure did she attempt to defend what was clearly indefensible.
If that were not enough, it is now being alleged that the ministry is engaging in splitting of contracts to deliberately avoid public tendering.
And, just recently, questions were raised in relation to the President’s use of a chartered plane to travel to the Bahamas for a State Visit. Reports are that the chartered plane and the trip altogether cost Guyanese taxpayers some G$18 million, as the President was accompanied by an entourage which included Ministers and other personnel for whom accommodation was provided.
When this information came to light, a senior Government official was reported in sections of the media to have promised details regarding costs, benefits etc. That was late last month. More than three weeks later, Government is yet to release to the public details of how much taxpayers’ money was expended on the trip.
These are just some of the many cases of Government not being forthcoming in regard to utilising public funds. While we are in no way accusing Government officials of being corrupt, it is the duty of the Government to show by its actions that it is accountable and transparent. More so, if questions are raised about the spending of taxpayers’ money, the Government has a responsibility to respond to those questions in the fastest possible time.
A president’s trip overseas on behalf of the State is certainly not a private matter. When the President travels, he is representing the State and is being funded by tax payers; and certainly, they must at all times be fully aware of what it is costing the State for the President to represent them.
It is also quite ironic that the then APNU/AFC parties, while in opposition, had accused the PPP Government of some of the same wrongdoings. On the campaign trail, they had promised a lean and clean government and a break away from the past. One would therefore have thought that these parties (APNU/AFC) would have done all they could to avoid facing the same kinds of criticism.
Also, in May last year, President David Granger, during a book launch, was quoted in the media as saying that his government is committed to excising corruption, improving transparency, and instituting greater accountability — all premised on the pillar of strong institutions.
However, many are of the view that the Administration is doing the opposite of what it promised. The Government must not only talk about being transparent, its actions should also prove that it is serious about ensuring accountability and good governance, which are the hallmarks of service.
