The PPP/C has done more than any other government to ensure...
evident in their actions when the first Budget of the 10th Parliament was presented to Parliament. APNU and the AFC cut important developmental projects from that first budget. They also cut subsequent budgets.
Moreover, they opposed the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the Marriott Hotel, the Specialty Hospital, the AntiMoney Laundering Bill, etc. These are but a few important projects designed to advance the social and economic development of our country.
Despite this negative position of the APNU and AFC in opposition, the PPP/C was ready to establish the PPC. However, after clearly seeing the intentions of the opposition, the PPP/C proposed the establishment of the PPC, but that the Cabinet retain the right to give its “no objection.” The opposition even refused to make this concession. Clearly, the establishment of the commission in such circumstances would have brought the country to a standstill. That was not an option.
It is apposite to note that the two parties now in government have adopted the same formula to establish the commission that they rejected while in opposition. Moreover, the reason that the PPC is not yet operational is because the regime is trying to subvert it. They claimed that they are recruiting the staff for the PPP/C. Staff recruitment is a function of the commission itself and not the government. Clearly, they want to saddle the PPC with PNC support staff. Through this mechanism, they hope to tighten their grip on the PPC.
The abovementioned editorial is high in praise of the regime establishing a Bid Protest Committee, (BPC). Implicit in the leader is that under the PPP/C government this did not exist and that no appeal was tolerated.
That is not true. Under the PPP/C, a bid review committee was set up to examine complaints and appeals whenever they were made. This comprised technical persons from the Ministry of Finance and the ministry/agency concerned. True, it was not a permanent committee, but was established as the need arose. This Bid Process Committee is just another job for the boys/girls scam.
The PPP/C administration has done more than any other in this country and the region to ensure and enforce transparency and accountability in government.
The regime’s forensic audits and the fact that the head of the National Tender Board (NTB), who served under the former administration, has been retained and also has a senior position in this regime, is testimony to the fact that the regime and sections of the media intend to smear the PPP/C’s record without regard for the facts.
The Stabroek News editorial writer needs to get the facts instead of repeating, parrot like, lies, distortions and half-truths that have been answered time and time again. This newspaper, like all others, has a responsibility to present facts and fair comment to the public at large.