-AG says; lambasts former APNU+AFC government for ‘nepotism,’ ‘corruption’

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has called out the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) for alleged nepotism and corruption, laying damning claims of alleged fiscal irresponsibility and constitutional violations whilst in government.

During his address to the National Assembly last week, Nandlall provided an in-depth analysis of the previous administration’s governance, which he said is starkly different from the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s approach.

To support his claims of wrongdoings by the former APNU+AFC government, he referenced the $72.2 million motion scales contract case involving NevPro Realization Limited of Jamaica and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, over a breach of contract for three scales that were purchased almost five years ago but were never delivered.

Nandlall said that this matter represents a gross financial mismanagement.

“I can point to a parking meter contract for which [we] are being sued for US $100 million,” he said, referencing the case brought by Smart City Solutions (SCS).

The case involves a legal dispute between the Government of Guyana and SCS over the non-implementation of a parking meter system in Georgetown under the APNU+AFC government.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) while in opposition had argued against the awarding of the contract and rolling out of the parking meter system.

Eventually, the project which faced a public backlash was suspended and has led to ongoing international legal proceedings before the International Centre for Settlement of Investments Disputes (ICSID).

Nandlall also spoke of ministers who allegedly “gifted themselves and their children’s scholarships,” pointing to a pattern of nepotism under the previous government.

During the debate, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton had revealed to the National Assembly that the APNU+AFC administration had spent a large amount of taxpayers’ dollars on scholarships for former ministers and relatives of a former minister.

He said the total amount of money spent on scholarships for four coalition ministers and the family of one minister amounted to some $90.8 million.

MISMANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

The Attorney-General delved deeper into the financial irregularities and the mismanagement of public funds.

He criticised the APNU+AFC for questionable transactions involving prime properties, suggesting systemic misappropriation of public funds.

“You can point to hundreds of transactions where prime waterfront and commercial properties were gifted to friends, families, and cronies without any public process and in many instances where a dollar was not paid,” Nandlall stated.

Nandlall highlighted several instances of questionable expenditures by the APNU+AFC.

“You can see Durban Park which right now accommodates 12 donkeys, 10 horses, and 13 vagrants…you [APNU+AFC) spent over $2 billion to build that and $600 million cannot be accounted for,” he said, illustrating a specific case of fiscal irresponsibility.

The AG did not mince words when it came to the fiscal irresponsibility he attributed to the former government.

“This singular budget is as large as the combined five budgets passed by the APNU+AFC from 2015 to 2018,” Nandlall noted, stressing the magnitude of the current budget in comparison to the cumulative budgets of the previous administration.

He questioned the efficacy of the APNU+AFC’s financial strategy, particularly in light of the significant spending that appeared to yield little in terms of development or improvement for the Guyanese people.

PPP/C’S APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE

In contrast to the APNU+AFC’s tenure, Nandlall highlighted the PPP/C government’s commitment to transparent and responsible governance.

He detailed the current administration’s ambitious projects and initiatives, portraying them as evidence of a government working towards tangible development and improvement in the lives of its citizens.

Nandlall then outlined the PPP/C’s efforts in infrastructure and social welfare.

He cited the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Gas-to-Shore project, and the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as evidence of the current government’s commitment to infrastructural development.

He also emphasised the transformation of Albion Sugar Estate, the construction of multiple hospitals, schools, housing schemes, courthouses, water treatment plants, major highways, and community roads.

Regarding social welfare, Nandlall mentioned the GOAL scholarship programme, cash grants, uniform vouchers for school children, and increases in old-age pensions and subsidies for medical treatments, including spectacles.

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND JUDICIARY RULINGS

The Attorney-General during his presentation accused the APNU+AFC of attempting to subvert the democratic process, particularly following the 2020 elections.

He referenced the judiciary’s rulings against former President David Granger and the APNU+AFC for its alleged constitutional violations.

“They tried and they tried, and they failed, and they failed, and in the end, the ballots of the people prevailed,” Nandlall declared.

Nandlall responded to the opposition Members of Parliament’s criticism of the PPP/C’s initiatives, arguing that their objections to various development projects, including the construction of schools, hospitals, sports facilities, and housing schemes, were indicative of a gap in vision and competence.

He explained that his detailed account paints a picture of two distinct political eras in Guyana, each with its own approach to governance and development.

As such, he said that there is clearly a lack of tangible outcomes from the APNU+AFC’s tenure compared to the visible projects under the PPP/C.

“There is simply nothing of worth that one can point to show for it,” he said.