POLITICAL football is being played with the issue of public expenditure and management, according to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon.

He added that the Opposition’s players are fully aware of the facts, yet persist in playing their game – albeit a losing one–for the sake of scoring cheap political points.

Dr. Luncheon’s comments were in reference to a legal challenge advanced by executive member of the political coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Carl Greenidge, regarding a loan agreement inked between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana (GoG).

The challenge being advanced seeks to have proceeds under the loan agreement between the GoG and the IDB paid into the Consolidated Fund. This, Dr. Luncheon maintains, was done.

The challenge also seeks to ensure that those moneys may not be withdrawn without the authority of an Appropriations Act. This, D.r Luncheon stressed, has not been done, because there is evidence to support this.

The challenge further seeks a Conservatory Order restraining the Minister of Finance from spending the proceeds of the said loan until the substantive matter is heard and determined.

Dr. Luncheon contends that the latter is moot, given that what is being called for has been done.

The loan in question relates to the IDB’s approval of two applications which will see Guyana benefiting from a total of US$32.16M (Gy$4.4B). One of those loans is aimed at supporting Government’s security programme, and the other is aimed at supporting the country’s environmental initiatives.

Greenidge formally filed the proceedings on March 20. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Mr. Anil Nandlall, and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh are the named defendants in the matter.

Both ministers have maintained that the challenge is without merit.

Dr. Luncheon insists that Greenidge and his colleagues are aware of the facts, and he explained that the loans are different from regular loans in that they are Policy-based loans, and Guyana is benefiting from monies as policies and programmes to action those policies are put in place.

Greater details in this regard, he added, will be provided by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.

“The facts have not changed,” Dr. Luncheon stressed.

The legal challenge remains before the High Court, and Acting Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang, SC, is presiding over the matter.
(Vanessa Narine)