APNU+AFC must account for spending – M.P. Datadin

− no Parliamentary oversight

− no budget in 640 days

Member of Parliament, Mr. Sanjeev Datadin has called on the APNU+AFC Coalition to account for its spending during its period as a caretaker government.

In his contribution to the Budget debate on Monday, MP Datadin said parliamentary oversight was essential and remained a pillar of a democratic society, and therefore, the previous Government must give an account to the people.

“Taxpayers must have an explanation as to how their monies are being spent. Guyana has not done that for 640 days,” Mr. Datadin said.

The MP reminded the House that the absence of parliamentary oversight was as a result of the passage of the December 2018 no-confidence motion and could have been remedied if elections were held within three months.

In a report last month, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall accused the Coalition of spending excessively to the tune of GYD$7 billion in total assets held by the Bank of Guyana.

MP Datadin also accused the previous Government of undermining the declaration of the election result.

“Legion of Opposition members took to the airwaves and social media to create [a] false narrative. Mr. Speaker that undermines the rule of law. Leaders must never ever do that,” he said. 

In the meantime, Mr. Datadin said the mere presentation of a Budget in the House represents the restoration of parliamentary oversight over government spending and the restoration of constitutional mandates.  

“All government spending must be approved in this House,” he iterated. 

The Government MP said Guyana must also be proud that in a matter of record time, about five weeks, the PPP/C Administration prepared a Budget which usually took more than 120 days to prepare. Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill, last week presented Government’s proposed $329.5 billion budget to the National Assembly.

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