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Opposition says drugs bond controversy not yet over…Accuses Govt. of repaying crony for political investment in 2015 Campaign
As the Sussex Street Drugs bond issue continues, People’s Progressive Party Civic Parliamentarian Gail Teixiera said last Friday that “the saga of the drugs bond scandal ain’t over yet.”
According to Teixiera the facts of the issue are still unravelling and that there is much more to be revealed. The Party’s Chief Whip during a press conference at her party’s headquarters said that it appears as though the Government of Guyana is incapable of doing the honourable thing which is to terminate the contract with Linden Holdings Inc.
Instead, she said that Cabinet has taken the position to endorse the cover up. She said that it appears to be a cover up since it’s the same cabinet who approved the contract in the first place, conducted the investigation and went on to justify the decision to rent the bond.
According to Teixeira: “this is all about repaying a crony for a political investment in the 2015 election campaign.”
She said that the contract was a rental for professional office and not a drug bond and that there is available space not only at the Ministry of Public Health Diamond Facility but at the Georgetown Public Hospital Bond.
She said that Cabinet is all too aware of how this rental agreement was brokered and more so who were the Cabinet members along with others that were involved. According to her, this information needs to be disclosed.
The politician said that in spite of how undesirable the contract is, the government appears to be unprepared to terminate it, which she says is a travesty.
PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixiera
“The government is prepared to continue to use tax payer’s money on this undesirable arrangement to protect their interest and investors.”
Teixiera said that nothing the government says or does will sugar coat the scandal.
Minister of Public Health George Norton had apologised for the drug bond fiasco.
The deal was signed between him and Linden Holdings Inc. a company that is linked to businessman, Lawrence “Larry” Singh. The contract was signed on June 1st, 2016 and is for three years, with the possibility of renewal. The monthly rental was set at $12.5 million.
The rental of the bond only came to light after Minister Norton was asked by the Opposition on August 8th, in the National Assembly, to explain a $25M spending.
According to Teixiera her party’s position still stands, which is to have Minister Norton go before the Privileges Committee and face the penalties for his actions.
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