Anti- money laundering discussions…Stakeholders will attend only when necessary - APNU

Anti- money laundering discussions…Stakeholders will attend only when necessary – APNU

Feb 07, 2014 News

“If they come to every meeting it would be like treating us like little boys” – Basil Williams
The Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs of the political faction, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Basil Williams says that members of the media fraternity and the Private Sector Commission will only attend the discussions on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill in the Parliamentary Select Committee when it is necessary.

Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

This declaration was made yesterday at APNU’s Headquarters on Hadfield Street.
The Attorney at Law reminded members of the media that when he and his colleagues turned up for the meeting on Monday last at the National Assembly, they were expecting to move forward with the work of the committee in terms of the discussions on each clause. But to their surprise, the Chairperson of the Select Committee, Ms Gail Teixeira, spent nearly over an hour and a half talking about the presence of the media and the private sector at the meetings.
Williams said he found this to be very upsetting, as he and other APNU members have made it clear that they are not opposed to the presence of the stakeholders, but when it is appropriate for them to be there, they will be invited. Williams said that this position was spread throughout the media and he could have only deduced that the action by Teixeira was intended to delay effective works on the committee.
“We turned up for the next meeting on Monday (last) and we saw on the agenda the topic about the media and other stakeholders being present. We have made our position clear on this and the rules of the Committee don’t give anyone the right to take part in it. Teixeira can blow hot or cold on this issue, but APNU will continue to protect the sovereignty of the National Assembly and ensure that its rules will not be treated whimsically or capriciously. We have said we don’t have a problem with their (media and other stakeholders) presence and we have said that it must be at an appropriate time.”
He reminded that APNU’s financial spokesman, Carl Greenidge had made a motion in this regard and it was put to a vote and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) lost the vote.
Even in the face of this, Williams said that the Finance Minister proceeded at the meeting to read a letter which said that the Private Sector Commission wanted to come and practically have oversight of the proceedings.
“He was suggesting to us that the private sector wanted to come to ensure that we do our work properly. No non-governmental organization, no media or nobody could come into the meeting to act in some supervisory position over us, which would be tantamount to relinquishing our responsibility to the people of Guyana.”
Williams said that it was clear that they were not interested in the main item; going through the bill clause by clause.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, he said, then moved a motion which was in effect to override Greenidge’s motion. It was intended to have the stakeholders present at the meetings after the one which concluded on Monday last. Williams said that such actions only bring the work of the committee into disrepute and that it was contemptuous of the Minister to do so.
Teixeira was then told not to entertain such a motion. Instead, she lashed out saying that she could do anything as Chairperson. Williams then said, “There was no profit in that.”
He added, “She must be asked to explain why they were opposed to having the media present at the Special select committee on local government. It is like treating us like little boys if they (stakeholders) are to come to the meeting … They are simply playing with this bill.”