By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The main opposition – A Partnership for National Unity – (APNU) has no intention of participating in government’s national consultation of the Anti – Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AML/CFT).
This is according to Executive Member of the APNU, Joseph Harmon, who during a press conference on Tuesday, March 11 explained that he is already part of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee, where the “heart of the Bill” is being dealt with.
Government announced that a major consultation to engage stakeholders on the Bill will be held on Thursday, March 13 at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
President Donald Ramotar will be addressing the gathering at the event slated to begin at 10:00hrs and which is open to all stakeholders and interested persons.
Harmon told reporters that while the APNU will not participate in this consultation, they won’t prevent their supporters from attending.
“Government has a responsibility to ensure that tHis bill is passed and it has nothing to do with just the national consultation. Government has to consult with the Opposition. It’s a very simple formula,” the APNU Parliamentarian said.
He further noted, “You can consult with the leaders of CARICOM, you can consult with the world and I’ll be very happy to know that the letter which they’re sending to President Ramotar impresses upon him the need for him to consult and to try to find a resolution to the problem by addressing the issues raised by the Opposition.”
Guyana has a final deadline in May to amend its Anti – Money Laundering Legislation; failure to do so will result in the country being internationally blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.
