Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
$37.4B budget slash blocks governmental mismanagement – APNU
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) says that its slashing of the 2014 budget was to prevent governmental mismanagement. The combined Opposition cut $37.4B from the $220B budget.
Opposition Leader David Granger
The coalition asserts that if that action was not taken, it would have led to severe damage to the country’s economy.
This was explained to media operatives yesterday at the coalition’s headquarters on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, by APNU’s leader Brigadier David Granger, its Chief Financial Spokesman, Carl Greenidge, and Shadow Minister of Local Government, Ronald Bulkan,
Granger in his opening remarks said that APNU has exercised careful and diligent scrutiny of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration’s Estimates of Current and Capital Revenue and Expenditure for the Public Sector for 2014. And after careful deliberation and debate, it disagreed with several proposals which could have led to “governmental mismanagement of the economy”.
While it approved the majority of provisions, Granger said that the Partnership was opposed to those programmes which had the potential to do harm to the system. The five programmes which met with firm disapproval by APNU included Office of the President: Programme 011 (Current) – $1,355,928,000, Office of the President: Programme 011 (Capital) -$3,846,901,000, Ministry of Finance: Programme 031 (Capital) – $22,284,231,000 and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs: Programme 161 (Current) -$1,142,500,000.
He noted as well that agencies such as the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN) and projects such as the Specialty Hospital, the CJIA Expansion Project and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project would be affected by the decision of the combined opposition.
“Considering government’s failure to provide sufficient details on the projects combined with the fact that the 2014 budget did not adequately provide public sector funding for the economic development, education, employment, physical infrastructure, social protection and public security of the country, APNU had no choice but to disapprove of certain budgetary allocations.”
Bulkan, who also serves as the Partnership’s Regional Development spokesman, reminded during his presentation that the 2014 budget was fashioned without consultations with the Opposition. This, he said, was an unwise move. He reminded that the budget debates highlighted the absence of consensus on key projects.
Carl Greenidge MP
As it relates to the Amerindian Development Fund, he made it clear that the Partnership is not against the $1B provision or even one that is greater.
“We are not against their development either, but we are opposed to misappropriation. When we examine the details, $798M of the money allocated was to be provided for a monthly stipend to youths. But reports from throughout the hinterland show that the money was not being spent for its intended purpose (career development) but rather used to introduce politics into the community.”
He said that he was disappointed that the Amerindian youths were manipulated and brought to protest within the vicinity of the Parliament.
Greenidge also informed that the Opposition had concerns with regard to monies that were spent without the approval of the National Assembly. The Former Finance Minister said that the Partnership was also concerned about certain allocations which included no clear details or justification in the budget.
He said that government also undertook an approach to undermine and embarrass them. He explained that government placed 14 items under one heading but “there was a trick”.
Greenidge explained to members of the media that within those 14 items there would be about one or two projects that the government is aware the Opposition disapproves of and have cut the provisions for them in previous years. Those controversial projects were placed between several other projects which both sides of the House agreed to be important.
Ronald Bulkan MP
Greenidge said that government after doing that then dared the opposition to cut it. The politician said that the combined opposition had no choice but to disapprove of the programmes altogether. He reminded that had this course of action not been taken, the country’s economy without a doubt would be open to “colossal mismanagement”.
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