Guyanese learnt over the past week that the Government of Guyana made a conscious decision to utilize millions of tax payers’ dollars to fund the use of a private jet to transport President David Granger and his political allies to The Bahamas last month.
It was also reported that the President’s entourage included select media operatives and officials, who were invited at his pleasure to enjoy the spoils and beautiful scenery that awaited them on the island. In return, they were expected to launch various direct and indirect public relations’ ventures that would paint the trip as a huge success; one which would no doubt have positive economic gains for the country as a whole.
Also, the citizenry learnt that the trip saw the overall total of M being spent to fund the venture, as was reported in a section of the press. To their surprise and shock, a whopping M dollars allegedly went to covering the expenses related to the private plane alone, whilst the remaining sum tackled expenses connected to the accommodation and meals of those who comprised the President’s entourage.
Millions more were spent on gifts for various state officials in The Bahamas and per diem expenses for the team members.
That aside, the state, as expected, also covered all of the expenses associated with the security detail of the ministers who travelled with the President as well as other officials.
Whilst nothing stops the President from chartering private planes and travelling in fine style, there is a public expectation that he would chose to do so only when Guyana’s economy is buoyant and experiencing high levels of economic growth. The public also expects that the President would act carefully to avoid taking with him a large contingent of officials on these trips if it is not absolutely necessary. That aside, he should ensure that he spends minimally, and that the principles of economies of scale apply wherever necessary.
It is also regrettable that the President and his public relations team did not see it fit to brief the country on the official purpose of his trip to The Bahamas. The only information available at the time was that he was going on an “economic mission”. Had this been former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo or Donald Ramotar, a frenzy would have been created in the media, which would have in turn led to outrage in the public corridors, even if the purpose of the trip was justifiable.
That aside, media operatives also learnt that the Head of State allegedly left The Bahamas without securing a single economic deal or prospective deal, as his team was, for the most part, unprepared to tackle the robust agenda which was agreed upon beforehand. It has also been reported that, whilst in the Bahamas, the President utilized every opportunity to meet Guyanese and spread the now infamous APNU/AFC propaganda, which seeks to dupe Guyanese abroad into believing that everything is fine and dandy at home.
In fact, the trip was largely political. The Government of Guyana therefore owes the public an explanation on a number of issues. It must release full details surrounding the expenditure incurred for the trip to The Bahamas; including, but not limited to, the deals secured, officials who had gone on the trip, details of all expenses paid and covered by tax payers’ dollars; and the method used to procure the services of the private plane.
It is regrettable that our ministers and President could choose to fly in fine style and luxury whilst ordinary citizens are being taxed further into poverty and the youths are being forced to seek alternative avenues to gain a dollar. It is also sheer hypocrisy that the Ministry of Finance continues to allow the Cabinet to misuse the public purse to fund these unnecessary and most times unproductive trips abroad.
The money wasted on the private jet and per diem for all those who had travelled with the President to The Bahamas and St Vincent could have been used to build roads, fund the ‘Because we care’ cash grants programme, build homes, and improve the state of the country’s health care system.
