A LOAN agreement inked between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana is the subject of a legal challenge filed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Carl Greenidge.

His contention is that there should be no withdrawal of the monies available under the agreement, since the monies are to be deposited into the Consolidated Fund, from which expenditure is only authorised by an Appropriation Act, a budget.
The IDB, in the latter part of February, approved two loan agreements for Guyana valued at US$32.16 (G$4.4B), one aimed at supporting government’s security and the other aimed at supporting the country’s environmental initiatives.
Dr Ashni Singh, named as a defendant in the matter, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, broke his silence on the matter, which is another legal action to challenge Government spending with him as the Finance Minister.
“In this instance, Mr Greenidge’s representation on the matter reflects an alarming lack of familiarity with the manner in which loans of this nature operate,” he said.
The Minister explained that oversight remains a non-issue, given clear and stringent legislative provisions that guide spending.
“There is not a problem with oversight, in terms of spending. There are constitutional and legislative provisions that apply to spending. They remain in place and are fully complied with,” he posited.
Greenidge is calling for a Conservatory Order to stop the spending, as well as a court order to demand full accounting for monies received under the IDB loan.
“This is yet another frivolous action and unmeritorious action by Mr Carl Greenidge and it constitutes an utter waste of the court’s time,” Dr Singh said.

DIFFERENT PARALLELS
Dr Singh underscored the different parallels, in the area of finance, which have been characterised by Greenidge’s presence.
“On the one hand, you have a man who has displayed great contempt for the people of Guyana during 1983 to 1992 period, when he refused to have a single set of audited accounts prepared and tabled in the National Assembly. No greater contempt for accountability has ever been displayed in the history of this country than by this act on Mr Greenidge’s part,” he said.
The Finance Minister was emphatic in stating that the APNU Executive “lacks the credibility” to speak on any matter in relation to accountability, given his legacy as a former Finance Minister.
“In recent years Mr Greenidge has appeared more preoccupied with repairing his legacy of mismanagement and woeful lack of accountability,” Dr Singh opined.
CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS
Greenidge, represented by Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde, maintains, however, the existence of constitutional grounds for his challenge.
The writ, detailing the challenge, cites Articles 1, 8, 50, 51, 56, 65, 103, 106, 110, 112, 112A, 216, 217 and 219 of Guyana’s Constitution. It also refers to Sections 16, 36 and 61 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, Cap. 73:02.
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall is the second defendant named in the matter.
A date for a hearing in the matter is to be scheduled.

By Vanessa Narine