The AFC must correct its shortcomings for 2014

Dec 17, 2013 News

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Financial Analyst, Ramon Gaskin recently contended that the Alliance For Change was doing insufficient research and trade union work. David Granger was not aggressive enough in the fight against corruption, he added.
The other opposition party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), is also guilty of being lazy, Gaskin added.
He said that the Opposition parties must clean up its act and be more effective and aggressive in their fight against corruption.
A senior AFC member of the political opposition party informed this publication that while they don’t deny that it has failed in some key areas, the necessary adjustments will be made for 2014.
AFC’s Vice-Chairman and Member of Parliament, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, explained that while it has been unable to achieve certain things, it must be recognized that their major success was the defeat of the notion that a “third party” such as AFC could not survive in Guyana’s divisive and polarized political arena.
The AFC, he believes, has not only carved out an indelible niche‘ on Guyana’s political landscape, but has become the fastest growing political party as well.
Nagamootoo explained that he believes this is due primarily to three factors, one of which includes the fact that the AFC maintains a vibrant and robust voice in the National Assembly.
Another tangible success the politician spoke of was that the AFC has finally bought a building to house its headquarters, and the Centre for Change will soon be part of their profile of being ready for Government.
He noted, too, that they maintained a cohesive leadership, in spite of the attempts at character assassination and “cuss-down politics” and our National Executive Committee and Management Committee broke new grounds in meeting outside the Capital.
As it relates to the failures of the political party, Nagamootoo admitted that standing out as the major failure of the party would be ineffective communication with its members and supporters. This he said is as it relates especially to the interior communities and riverain areas.
The attorney at law said that this is mainly because of the denial of access to the state media (radio, TV and newspaper), “all of which have been converted into propaganda outlets of the ruling party.”
He asserted, however, that for this very reason his party will keep its scissors sharpened for any subvention to these state agencies.  This therefore leads to the party being denied the right to reply to vicious attacks and misinformation by the ruling cabal and have to divert their meager resources to paying for TV time on private channels.
“The result is that our rank and file does not get timely information of AFC’s position on national issues as in the case of our conditional support for the Amaila Hydro project.
“Also, we have not been successful against the PPP’s propaganda onslaughts, to convince a wider section of our people that AFC’s position on various issues is patriotic, in the national interest, and intended to make our governance clean, honest, transparent and accountable.
“But, it is satisfying to know that our fight against dirty money via crooked deals and contracts, is gaining ground, which is why there is now broader support for the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to end government’s role in approving or disapproving public sector contracts amounting to billions of dollars.”
According to Nagamootoo, there are several issues that will roll over to the New Year.
“At the top of the agenda would be how to get Local Government elections by mid-year so that we can energize the grassroots to be involved in the process of changing their communities. We will continue to track the spending of public funds and may cite senior government officials for corrupt practices, and up the fight to bring all public funds into the State Treasury, like excess monies from NICIL, Wildlife, Lotto, etc., so that they flow to the people and not into the pockets of government cronies.”
He said, too. that the AFC will also continue to fight for a fully-staffed Financial Intelligence Unit to go after dirty money, the Integrity Commission to probe the assets and unjust enrichment of the political elite, broad-based state media board to ensure equitable access and for a Commission of Inquiry to examine the give-away allocation to friends and family of television, radio and other telecommunications frequencies, as well as state lands and concessions.
While Nagamootoo acknowledged even the criticisms given by the citizens of Guyana, his party has pledged to uphold a high standard of political behavior, as they continue to fight for an honest government in its country.

 

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