Are two US events public or private?

Dear Editor. My attention was drawn to two fliers, advertising and inviting the public to two events, which will take place over the weekend in the United States of America, and which may be of interest to the Guyanese taxpayers. The first event is scheduled to take place on June 10th 2017, at 11 am to 3 pm at Zen Lounge 117-15101 Avenue, Richmond Hill, New York. According to the flier, this event is organised by an entity known as ‘Bridge the Gap Intercontinental Inc’, in collaboration with Zen Lounge. The event is described by the flier as, “Health and Human Services Tea Forum – Meet & Greet – Connecting & Collaborating across Borders.” The flier indicates the “keynote Speakers” to be “Her Excellency, First Lady Sandra Granger/Hon. Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence/Hon. Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally/ Hon. Attorney General, Basil Williams.”

Further, the flier contains the following curious phrase, “Suggested donations $20.”

I consulted Google to find out more about Bridge the Gap Intercontinental Inc. The only information available is that this entity is a “Domestic Not-For-Profit Organisation.” No information is available in respect of who the shareholders are, or in what business or activities this entity is engaged. Significantly, this organization was only incorporated on the 27th June 2016.

Since the keynote speakers boast their official governmental titles and portfolios, as opposed to their political standing within the Peoples National Congress, one must ask whether they are on official business representing the Government and people of Guyana. If they are, then the question would be whether public monies are being spent to host the event, or at a minimum, the travel, accommodation and subsistence of these government officials are being financed from public funds. It is hoped that upon their return, these officials will inform the Guyanese people about the nature and purpose of this event; if public funds were involved, how much this trip cost them; what was the purpose of the donations; the total sum received as donations; what use will be made of the donations; and finally, what benefits Guyanese will enjoy as a consequence of this event.

The second event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 11th June 2017, from 4 pm to 7.30 pm at a private residence in Southwest Ranches, Florida (name and address stated on flier). This event is styled, ‘Cocktail Reception and Town Hall Meeting.’ The invitation to this event is extended by, “Guyanese Patriots & Friends of Guyana, and the guest speakers are listed as, “Hon. Amna Ally, MP, Senior Minister of Social Protection and Hon. Volda Lawerence, MP, Minister of Public Health.” Like the other flier, the following and even more curious phrase appears as well: “a minimum donation of $35 is required for admission to the event. Please make checks payable to: APNU Guyana Inc… proceeds to benefit the President’s five ‘B’s’ program in Guyana.”

Again, the guest speakers are described in their governmental nomenclature and portfolios. For clarity, I wish to point out that these two officials also hold executive positions in the People’s National Congress (PNC) but their political appellations were not used. In the circumstances, it is reasonable to ask whether these two persons will be on official government business, representing the Government and the people of Guyana and whether this event is either being funded by public monies or at a minimum, the travel, accommodation and subsistence of these Ministers is being financed from the Treasury.

However, a few questions would immediately arise in the mind of a probing reader:

1. Why is such an event being held at a private residence?

2. Why are cheques to be made payable to what obviously is a political party’s bank account and not the Government of Guyana?

3. The President’s five ‘B’s’ programme is a programme of the Government of Guyana. It has received appropriations from the National Budget and it has been part of the budget speeches of many ministers of this government. It is, therefore, not the President’s personal philanthropic initiative nor his personal charity. Why, then is the appearance being conveyed that funds raised at this event are being allowed to comingle with the funds of APNU Guyana Inc? Are we now officially embracing party paramountcy once again as a governmental doctrine?

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP