– Minister Anthony responds to APNU accusation of PPP ‘squandermania’ on proposed City Hall restoration

CULTURE Minister Dr Frank Anthony, having said that spending for rehabilitation of City Hall has not commenced, has asked the rhetorical question: “How can there be squandermania?”

Dr. Anthony has rebuffed claims by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) members that the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is on a “pre-election spending spree with state funds” as the ruling party moves to effect restorative intervention to City Hall.

Last week, at his coalition’s press conference, Opposition Leader Brigadier David Granger accused the PPP/C administration of having started its elections campaign “with a massive spending spree of state funds.”

He noted that the “squandermania” is aimed unapologetically at winning votes from constituents and communities which the PPP/C neglected for years.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is one of several ministries which were not spared by the Opposition Leader as he charged: “Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, only this year on the approach to elections, seemed to realise that the celebrated 125-year-old Georgetown City Hall was in danger of collapse and needed major restoration.”

Brigadier Granger also noted that Minister Anthony had announced the administration’s intention to expend some $200M to start work on City Hall; and this, according to APNU, reflects a pre-election spending spree campaign.

But Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed in an invited comment that the initiative to restore and rehabilitate City Hall was one which had been decided upon since last year. He said that through the efforts of the National Trust of Guyana, City Hall had been successfully selected for listing on the 2014-2016 World Monuments Watch List of sites that are at risk globally.
The watch list offers global recognition of the world’s most endangered sites.

“The Monument Trust had listed City Hall as an endangered monument in Guyana, so the interest in us [the Government] rehabilitating City Hall didn’t start now. So I don’t see what this has to do with elections,” the Minister explained.

He also explained that the Opposition Leader’s remark of “squandermania” is an accusation which is completely inaccurate, since no money has as yet been expended on the building. As such, no case of “squandermania” applies.

Earlier this year, too, according to Dr Anthony, a committee had been established to facilitate rehabilitation of the historic site. “The committee is currently chaired by the Chairman of the National Trust, and (has) members of varying entities which will play a part in this rehabilitation project,” Minister Anthony related.

With regard to the present project, Minister Anthony explained that experts are currently engaged in drafting a proposed plan and financial assessment of the project which will lead to the project being materialised.

The Culture Minister reiterated that the deplorable state of City Hall was the key factor which led to the restoration initiative. As such, he is baffled by remarks made by the Opposition Leader, since no money has been expended, yet he is accused of engaging in squandermania, more particularly with state funds.

“I don’t see how this has anything to do with elections,” Dr Anthony declared.

(By Ravin Singh)