AFC demands documentation for GuySuCo, GPL, Amaila Falls, Specialty Hospital

By Fareeza Haniff

During a press conference on Wednesday, April 2 Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan demanded that the amounts allocated for GuySuCo and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Company be supported by proper explanations and documentation including business plans justifying the request.

“We note that the relevant Ministers have failed to table annual reports of GuySuCo for several years and Guyana Power and Light Inc a number of years. We wish to put the Ministers on notice that submission of all reports and statements required by law must be tabled in the National Assembly,” Ramjattan told the news conference.

GuySuCo was allocated $6B in this year’s budget, while GPL was allocated $3.7B.

The AFC is also demanding documentation to support the request for the allocation sought for the proposed Specialty Hospital.

“We need to know who will own the Hospital, how it will be managed, the pricing policy for the services to be provided and whether a member of the public would be excluded if that person could not afford to meet the cost to be imposed, and whether the State will be providing an annual subsidy to the hospital.”

Meanwhile, in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the AFC is suggesting that the $80M allocation be excluded from the estimates until full documentation is provided to show the precise purpose of the investment, the name of the company (ies) in which the equity is to be invested, the ownership structure and a Business plan justifying the expenditure.

“The pursuing of Amaila seems questionable in the face of the actual drying up of the water for extended periods and Sithe Global making it very clear that it will not be backing the project in view of not obtaining full parliamentary support. This, this proposed allocation for this project warrant serious re – consideration,” the AFC Leader said.