APNU/AFC must account for spending – MP Datadin

Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin

Member of Parliament Sanjeev Datadin has called on the former APNU/AFC Coalition to account for its spending during its period as a caretaker Government.
In his contribution to the Budget debate on Monday, MP Datadin said parliamentary oversight is essential and remains a pillar of a democratic society, and therefore, the previous Government must give an account to the people.
“Taxpayers must have an explanation as to how their monies are being spent. Guyana has not done that for 640 days,” Datadin is quoted as saying in a Department of Public Information report.
The MP reminded the House that the absence of parliamentary oversight was as a result of the passage of the December 2018 no-confidence motion, and could have been remedied if elections were held within three months.
In a report last month, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, accused the Coalition of spending excessively to the tune of G$7 billion in total assets held by the Bank of Guyana.
MP Datadin also accused the previous Government of undermining the declaration of the election result.
“Legions of Opposition members took to the airwaves and social media to create [a] false narrative. Mr. Speaker, that undermines the rule of law. Leaders must never ever do that,” he said.
In the meantime, Datadin said the mere presentation of a Budget in the House represents the restoration of parliamentary oversight over Government spending, and the restoration of constitutional mandates.
“All Government spending must be approved in this House,” he iterated.
The Government MP said Guyana must also be proud that, in a matter of record time, about five weeks, the PPP/C had Administration prepared a Budget, which usually takes more than 120 days to prepare. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill last week presented Government’s proposed $329.5 billion budget to the National Assembly.