Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

APNU+AFC must explain this massive piece of corruption

Dec 17, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – Shocking and deserving of legal action is my response to the news that “Approximately 9,284 persons out of 11,098 (83%), who gained eligibility for the COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher … did not receive anything.” This was the findings from the Office of Auditor General (AG). According to the report from the AG, a performance audit was conducted on the Coalition’s relief voucher programme for the period March to September 2020 and it found that only slightly over 1,000 persons received vouchers. Like OMG! Let us be reminded that this programme was undertaken by the former APNU/AFC Coalition Government (Coalition).
Now, my mind goes back to just over one year ago, when the APNU+AFC, vis Joseph Harmon, flagged the Government for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming that there seems to be no clear plan to tackle the disease, which at the time, had already infected over 3,700 persons. Harmon, the Opposition Leader, in fact, stated at that time that his party was open to working with the Government, to reduce the spread of COVID-19. I am left to wonder what he had in mind.
I recall too that Harmon was most blatant during that period of attack on the Government. He went as far as hurling racial remarks, accusing the Government of favouring its mainly Indian support base. He even explained that he had the evidence, but, as expected, when challenged to offer the proof, he went into evasive moods and behaviour.
For readers to get the gist of this deplorable behaviour from APNU+AFC, the press detailed that the unpaid persons, using an even 9,000 of the qualified and a flat $25,000 per person, amounts to GY$225 million in relief funds not handed over to cash-strapped citizens. Cruel! Hypocritical! What else can anyone say?
I add that this was no ‘goodwill’ act, as this programme was funded through the allocation of funds from the budget for the financial year 2020 of the various agencies responsible for the management of the programme. This programme was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Finance, Communities and Social Protection, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and the Civil Defence Commission. So, in my mind, it was like a ‘national thieving’ ploy, and that is why I suggest some kind of retribution or penal measures be taken.
It will be too belabouring to go through in detail other egregious acts of dishonesty and purloining found in the report, but what I have outlined thus far is enough to get people’s attention to the reality of whom and what they were up against in the past regime.
Now the Audit Office has shared 13 recommendations to management for improvements and disclosed that through full implementation of these recommendations, future programmes will be better managed. My hope is that these measures will be implemented, and I repeat that APNU+AFC must explain this massive piece of corruption.

Yours very truly,
Anson Paul

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11 Football Tourney commencement

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11...

Nov 17, 2024

Kaieteur Sports- The Petra Organisation’s MVP Sports Girl’s Under-11 Football Tournament kicked off in spectacular fashion yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue,...
Read More
Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series against England

Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series...

Nov 17, 2024

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Nov 17, 2024

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home Series against Bangladesh

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home...

Nov 17, 2024

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next Generation’ Inter-Association Tournament starts today

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next...

Nov 17, 2024

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars settle Barbados 4-1

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars...

Nov 16, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]