THERE is no policy, or practice, that involves the “dishonouring” of Guyana’s laws by utilising state funds for partisan political purposes.This was the emphatic assertion of Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his news conference held at the Office of the President yesterday.
He stressed that the Administration’s position on this matter is unequivocal and there is no deviation, relative to spending, from the provisions of Guyana’s laws which guide public expenditure of state funds.
“The Administration’s position is unequivocal. We do not support it. There is no policy whatsoever that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration dishonours the law and use public funds for partisan political purposes,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the allegations being levelled against the Administration in this regard are not new.
“It is not a claim that is novel or original,” he said, adding that during the lead-up to every election since 1992, the political Opposition has made this claim.
However, Dr. Luncheon has since challenged the political Opposition to substantiate their claims.
“We must substantiate these claims with specific instances…our task is rather simple. Produce (the evidence), investigate and confirm whether this is so, yes or no,” he concluded.
Article 219 (1) of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act stipulate that in any financial year the Government is empowered to spend one-twelfth of the budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed. Also, after elections, Article 219, paragraph 3 of the Constitution will be activated to regulate expenditure, until the first budget is passed for the 11th Parliament of Guyana.