Looming general elections… Any APNU official involved in corrupt practices will be sacked- Granger

Sep 04, 2014 News

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Exuding great confidence in gaining a majority if snap elections are realized, Leader of the political Opposition, David Granger made it pellucid that in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), there will be no place for corrupt officials.
During an interview with this publication, Granger was reminded of how critical he and his team have been of the government, particularly as it relates to President Donald Ramotar’s apparent refusal to sack or punish officials who have allegedly abused the law.
Granger emphatically stated that there will be no place for officials who want to be corrupt, disregard the laws or abuse their positions were his party to assume government. In short, any member of his team who goes against the principle he upholds, transparency and accountability, will have to “hit the road” according to him.

“The important matter here is that the APNU in general will be committed to good governance and if a person at any level of this coalition is found to be behaving in a corrupt manner, it is better that, that person be separated from the administration. If any official in the APNU administration is involved in the type of corrupt transactions that we see going on right now, then he or she will have to go. Have no doubt about that.”
“…. any person working with me would know that they would have to demit office if they are found culpable in any corrupt practice. My vision for Guyana is clear and I do not believe that given where Guyana is at presently and where we want to go, that there will be any place for corrupt persons. I am serious about that and I would like to assure the people of Guyana that the APNU administration will be much different from the PPP administration. We will maintain our moral compass. We will lead by example and with integrity.”
Taking performance in and out of the National Assembly into consideration, Granger was asked whether he still believes that his team is a high performing one. But the Opposition leader, in spite of having attracted harsh criticisms recently, expressed undying support for his party, noting that it has done commendable work since its formation three years ago.
Granger said that all the members of his team are supported by “expert groups” which advise them on all matters.
Be that as it may, Financial Analyst, Ramon Gaskin is of the firm belief that the Opposition has done a poor job since the 2011 elections.
Gaskin in an interview with this publication last year had stated that while the Opposition which consists of ; the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), worked together and were successful in placing a halt on the controversial Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Anti Money Laundering Bill and have made notable cuts to the 2013 budget which is still before the court, they have missed a few critical issues that require immediate attention.
He made reference to the fact that the corrupt acts of NICIL still continue without consistent resistance from the Opposition. “In fact, other persons within our society have been more aggressive and steady in the fight against corruption. Our Opposition has to do more and with the gift of being in the majority, their work for the past two years is sorely unsatisfactory,” Gaskin had said.
Gaskin claims that the biggest failure of APNU and the AFC is its inability to mobilize the people. He said, “This is not struggle today and rest tomorrow. The behavior of the Opposition is one that reflects laziness. One of the greatest leaders of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela has proved to us that nothing can be accomplished without struggle. But while the Opposition speaks of how corrupt the government is, they don’t prepare to fight the battle. They have to understand that the people put them there to fight for their cause and not go on vacation. In fact, the Opposition goes on vacation more than the school children.”
“The fact that the Opposition has to be spoon fed on certain topics shows that they have not been doing enough research. They are not vigilant enough. They need to do more union work, more research and more work in the Parliament.”
Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman had also voiced his disappointment with certain Parliamentary Sectoral Committees, in that they have not been vibrant enough on bringing certain issues to the fore.
As for the Leader of the APNU, Gaskin opined that Granger is not doing anything, “but talking.” He said, “Granger is not sufficiently militant for the people of Guyana. When there are protests, we hardly see him and this is something he needs to change.”
Despite Gaskin’s affirmations, the APNU is of the firm belief that it has been successful in its attempts to hold the PPP regime accountable for its actions.

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