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mismanagement
Government will not be a scapegoat for City Hall’s
mismanagement – President Ali says Central Gov’t remains committed to improving conditions in Georgetown
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The welfare of the City remains paramount, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who stressed that the Government will not allow itself to be used as a scapegoat when the M&CC fails in fulfilling its responsibility and mandate.
The Head of State made this assertion while responding to a recent statement made by Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine in which he claimed that the President is starving the Mayor and City Council of resources.
“Let me be very clear, this Government cares tremendously about our city, but we will not allow ourselves to be used as a scapegoat in the city not fulfilling its responsibility and mandate or in the city converting everything into political opportunism or a political football. As President, we're not going to allow the Mayor to get away with a statement like this,” he said.
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO THE RESCUE
The President reiterated that whilst the city is not fulfilling its responsibilities in the maintenance of the environment and its infrastructure and the cleaning of drainage, Central Government has embarked on a massive programme to clean the city, to clean and maintain the roadways, establish roundabouts, and maintain drainage.
He said, “We have invested in pumps to ensure, as far as possible, we have improved the drainage situation in the city to prevent flooding. These are the necessary investments because as a Government the city reflects who we are as a country too. But the mismanagement of the City Council cannot be passed on to Central Government. And we have to address this; we have to address this honestly.”
He pointed to the array of programmes already implemented to engage communities in the cleaning-up of various wards in the city, including South Georgetown, Sophia and Albouystown.
“But this is the responsibility of the city council, and the city council continues to fail the people of the city and every time they fail the people of the city, they try to pass the buck on or pass the burden on,” Ali said.
The President added too that the Government is fully committed to ensuring that City Hall is restored. He said, “That is a project we have budgeted resources for in the budget and we are going to work on implementing.”
RECORD OF DISCREPANCIES
President Ali reminded that Central Government has a responsibility to ensure that resources are spent for what they are budgeted for and to ensure that there is accountability and transparency. He pointed to the discrepancies uncovered at City Hall over the years.
“In accordance with Section 177 of Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana, the Council is required to prepare accounts yearly and submit same for audit no later than four months after the end of the year. The Mayor and City Councilors of Georgetown has breached this provision and continues to do so,” he said.
He highlighted that in 2004, in the last audited financial statement, a disclaimer of opinion was issued by the Auditor General- a disclaimer is where the information submitted cannot stand up to scrutiny; in 2005, again a disclaimer opinion was issued; 2006 to 2011, no financial statements were submitted; 2012 to 2015 financial statements were submitted but the information required could not have allowed auditors to express an opinion; 2016 to 2020, again, no financial statements were submitted for the period.
President Ali also revealed that in 2019, following an investigation of the M&CC, several discrepancies were revealed and reported to the Audit Office. These include; failure to remit workers National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions, failure to remit workers Credit Union contributions, failure to remit workers Guyana Revenue Authority Pay as You Earn (P.A.Y.E) deductions from workers, failure to effect payment of retirement benefits (gratuity) to a number of workers, issues surrounding the number of contracts in keeping with financial regulations, transparency, and accountability, waiver of rates and taxes, rental of wharf facilities and the granting of leases.
He added that as recent as March of 2021, a special audit commenced, and again similar issues were uncovered with regards to the National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Revenue Authority, and monies not paid over.
“All of these were issues highlighted, where transparency, accountability and clear violations and breaches we found, yet, Central Government continues to transfer resources to the city. But how long must we, as a people, and as a Government allow this blatant disregard for transparency and accountability, this blatant disregard for the rules and laws governing the financial accountability of the Mayor and City Council? There must come a time when things will come to a head and these things have to be fixed. We cannot continue this level of mismanagement,” he said.
President Ali reiterated that while His Government is desirous of “nothing short of an excellent relationship with the city”, it will not be blamed for the City’s mismanagement nor will they disregard all of these discrepancies over the years and continue to transfer money blindly knowing of all of the irregularities.
“So, I just want to make it very, very clear, that we want a partnership for the development of the city, but we cannot allow the City Council to continue to blatantly disregard what is out there in terms of its responsibility and in terms of its fiduciary responsibility. And we will not allow the Central Government to be used as a political football. Notwithstanding all of this, we are moving forward with a plan and programme to improve the welfare, well-being, living conditions, and standard of the people of the city and those who use the city and we are sparing no resources in achieving this,” the Head of State declared.
Gov’t discussing regional energy corridor with Suriname, Brazil, French Guiana
The Government is in talks with some of its neighbours to create a regional energy corridor, linking Guyana’s energy infrastructure to Suriname’s, Northern Brazil’s and French Guiana’s.
This is according to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who said, “The strategy of Guyana is to become a major player in the energy corridor of Brazil, Guyana and Suriname.”
Recent hydrocarbon discoveries in the Guyana-Suriname basin include significant gas reserves with potential, which has renewed interest in the corridor.
Guyana intends to pipe gas to shore from the Liza field to substitute its current oil-fired power generation. The Liza field was the first significant oil find offshore Guyana.
The Government is also operationalising plans for renewable energy projects to support its intention of creating a cleaner energy mix.
The energy corridor would see the countries teaming-up to share power based on a collective understanding of their needs and ability to supply.
President Ali said the operationalisation of this plan would require development of local knowledge and capacity in the area of logistics. “Our own demand locally and the spinoff of our own investment that will see more export, would require greater logistics planning. The integration of Suriname and Brazil, creation of that new corridor, making Guyana an important shipping hub for the region, requires careful planning and development of a logistics hub and industry. And that by itself brings a stream of benefit. It’s not only what is happening in Guyana,” he said.
The President also addressed the energy corridor during an April 28 press conference at State House. He said, “Later this year, we are expecting to have a meeting between Brazil, Guyana and Suriname to look at the energy corridor because as you’re aware, Suriname also has a lot of development that is taking place in the oil and gas sector, and we have to look at what the net output would be, and what it means in supplying Northern Brazil, and in supplying French Guiana…our energy mix would be broad and comprehensive beyond our shores.”
Additionally, in his address during the ceremonial opening of the 12th Parliament in February, the President said Government had already commenced discussions with its neighbours on this matter.
The project had been in talks for several years, as the Inter-American Development Bank conducted baseline and pre-feasibility studies in 2016 and 2017 on what it calls the ‘Arco Norte Electrical Interconnection.’
The Bank stated that the main benefits of such a project would be lower-cost generation for all countries involved; potentially lowered electricity prices for consumers in Guyana and Suriname; more secure supply; reduced carbon dioxide emissions and export earnings, especially for Guyana.
GUYANA AT 55
Scenes from flag raising ceremony to mark Independence Anniversary
Be inspired by the invaluable struggles of those before us
[A MESSAGE FROM THE PPP ON THE OCCASION OF GUYANA'S 55TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY]
Our beloved nation has reached another milestone, its 55th Independence Anniversary. It comes at a time when Guyana is on the cusp of unprecedented transformational development. The unleashing of our nation’s vast potential is within reach. Our developmental trajectory has, undoubtedly, imbued all Guyanese with a tremendous sense of optimism, pride, expectation and confidence that our individual and collective dreams and aspirations for a prosperous nation will be realised.
As we observe this very significant moment in our nation’s history, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, both here and those globally in the Diaspora.
The 55 years since the Golden Arrowhead was first hoisted in May 1966, was not without its challenges. Our nation and its people were tested at various points, but on every occasion, despite the severity of what confronted us, our resilience and indomitable will to rise to those challenges and to forge ahead, prevailed. It is demonstrative of our resoluteness as a people to work assiduously and to sustain our efforts to build a brighter future for all.
During those 55 years, there were periods when much was achieved – a period that saw our physical and social infrastructures being transformed through sustained growth and development – and periods of regression. There were periods when our freedoms were suppressed and periods when they were restored. There were periods when pride was lost and periods when it returned after relentless struggles. However, throughout these times, our people never allowed hope to slip away and remained steadfast in their commitment to nation-building and the advancement of all.
Guyanese are aware that the 55th Independence Anniversary comes months after glaring attempts to suppress freedoms and democracy. The fact that our freedom and nascent democracy were vigorously defended is testimony to our collective resolve and the value we, as a people, attached to our democratic principles.
This is not dissimilar to the values of those who led the struggles and fought valiantly for Independence would have attached to breaking the shackles of colonialism. Those selfless struggles remain a revered source of inspiration and a demonstration of patriotism in guiding us to work in the best interest of our country and all of its peoples.
As we celebrate this independence anniversary, albeit restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Party urges that we be encouraged by the invaluable efforts of those who struggled to free us from colonialism, as we endeavor together to safeguard our democratic values and to advance ourselves and fellow countrymen and women as a new era of transformational development beckons.
Happy Independence to all Guyanese! People’s Progressive
WPO celebrates its 68th anniversary
The Women’s Progressive Organization celebrated its 68th anniversary this week, on May 27, 2021.
The occasion served to remind us of the long and perilous journey that was undertaken to bring attention to the plight of women who were oppressed, down trodden with the burden of poverty, under-development, religious and cultural bias.
We take this opportunity in paying homage to all those who were instrumental in nurturing this organization from its inception. We remember with pride the founder members especially Cde Janet Jagan in this year of her 100 birth anniversary, Jessica Huntley, Jane Philip Gay and Ms Aukland. We also extend our sincerest appreciation to all the leaders and members both past and present for their dedicated services.
It is opportune to recall as well the role of its forerunner the Women’s Political & Economic Organization (WPEO) which was formed 75 years ago in July 1946. Its mission was to ensure “the political and economic organization of women in order to promote their economic welfare, their political and social emancipation and betterment”.
The WPEO successfully advocated for better living conditions for the poor who were living in the city in tenement yards and exposed the plight of domestics who were working for long hours. It was the first time such fundamental issues were raised by women at the national level.
The WPEO played a historical role in awakening women to their rights and potentials. It lifted women beyond the purely social and charitable associations that existed and gave them a sense of purpose. Although it did not succeed in being a permanent body, its influence in opening new horizons for Guyanese women cannot be over-looked.
The formation of the PPP in 1950 provided the political leadership which was needed and under the astute leadership of Dr Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Jocelyn Hubbard and Ashton Chase - a new era had emerged in the colony of British Guiana.
The struggle for adult suffrage was won in 1953 where all persons 18 years and over whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated participated in the first ever elections held under universal adult suffrage in April which saw the PPP winning 18 out of 24 seats.
Three women Janet Jagan, Jane Philip Gay and Jessie Burnham were elected to the Legislative Council and Janet Jagan was appointed to the position of Deputy Speaker. Thereafter, the Women’s Progressive Organization (WPO) was formed on May 27th 1953 and once again women’s involvement in the economic and political life of the country became a central
