By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader and former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan has leveled accusations against the ruling Party of failing to show the true depiction of state revenues in its annual budgets.
Ramjattan told the National Assembly during his presentation in the ongoing budget debate on Tuesday April 08 that the administration is guilty of hiving off money to the accounts of statuary bodies such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Forestry Commission, Lands and Survey, Guyana Civil Aviation and the Lotto Funds among others.
These claims by the AFC Leader are one that has been made over the last two years.
“If this government were to tighten up, the Opposition will lighten up… over the years we have seen a total lack to tighten up, it is over this lack that the opposition has done what we have done since we have the national interest at heart,” Ramjattan said.
The AFC Leader in defending the Opposition budget cuts over the years said the failure of the Government to show the true depiction of revenues and place the monies from the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) into the national purse along with its failure to adequately consult in preparing the budget is in essence chopping the budget before it is presented.
“We cannot have parallel treasuries… it must stop and we will ensure an end is put to it.”
Ramjattan speculated that monies being hidden by the government is being utilised to continue national projects such as the Marriott Hotel in spite of the Opposition’s non –approval of funding.
He argued too that there was need to make better assessment in relation to how revenues should be spent.
Turning his attention to foreign investment, the AFC Leader told the House that while exemptions are important, the current exemptions and concessions granted to foreign investors are excessive.
This, along with the money that is being placed in NICIL is denying the people of Guyana a better life, the AFC Leader told the House.
He said the government speaks of life improving since it took office in 1992 but questioned if this is so, why the migration level is increasing.
He contended that the government is refusing to facilitate the speedy holding of a national census since it will reveal the shrinking population among other figures.
Ramjattan said it was reported that Guyanese are leaving the country by thousands monthly; adding that it is a detriment to national development. He reiterated calls for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), pointing out its importance to fighting corruption.
