Opposition record in gov’t abysmal

-says Minister Indar
─Budget gives back to Guyanese what was taken from them

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, on Monday, lambasted the former APNU+AFC Administration for its poor performance, saying that it has led to gross deficiencies across numerous sectors.

His comments came during the Budget debates currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal. 

GPL

Early on during his presentation, Minister Indar drew attention to the finances of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, saying they learnt that only $1.9 billion was found in the power company’s bank account and that this sum would be completely used by the end of October. 

He said the former Government reneged on its responsibilities to GPL and crippled the company through a US $50 million loan to purchase five generating sets that weigh 150 metric tonnes. Of this sum, $994 million was slated for civil works which were scheduled to be completed in 10 months; however, only 15 per cent progress has been made to date.

“There is zero revolving capacity at GPL,” Minister Indar said. With a further $13.1 billion owed to the company and $8.7 billion in losses over the past three years, the Minister reiterated that the entity was poorly managed under the previous Administration. He added that little to no emphasis was placed on increasing its power output to end the scourge of blackouts. 

Minister Indar said it is for these reasons that the Government has sought Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from businesses to supply GPL with additional electricity with 30 bids being submitted.

Sea defence

Though the APNU+AFC spent billions of dollars on the eroding Mahaicony foreshore, Minister Indar said the bungling of the project worsened conditions along the breached earthen embankment. 

The National Assembly heard that contractor BK International did not fix the breaches which it secured contracts to seal and that the poor handling of the emergency works along the foreshore resulted in an insurmountable burden on residents within the affected communities. 

As a result, allocations have been made in the Budget to supplement the ongoing emergency works spearheaded by M&B Construction, to strengthen priority areas along the Mahaicony foreshore.

GCAA

The House also heard that three years ago, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had $1.17 billion in its bank account. From that period to the time the new Government assumed office, Minister Indar said, $800 million was spent, leaving GCAA unable to meet its financial obligations.

As such, the Minister said the regulatory body had approached the Government for a $41 million subvention to execute its mandate under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Transport and Harbours Department

Further evidence was shown that Departments within Ministries were poorly run under the stewardship of the previous Government. According to Minister Indar, the Transport and Harbours Department (THD) within the Ministry of Public Works was running at a loss of $2.5 million at the end of July. 

“We found that the Transport and Harbours have in its books $945 million in debt,” Minister Indar said. 

Of this sum, $461 million is owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), $323 million in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions for staff, $57 million to small vendors and $104 million to small contractors. 

Hinterland Electrification Company (HEIC)

Further criticising the former Administration for its mismanagement of the country’s assets, the Public Works Minister said that he had to approach Cabinet to provide $89 million to the Kwakwani Electrical Company for unpaid wages to workers. He said too that the Coalition left the companies that make up HEIC with a whopping $989 million debt.

“When we talk about progress under the APNU+AFC, do you categorise that as progress?” he asked. 

CJIA

The Minister also condemned the former Government’s management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The Assembly heard that the project was met with massive delays, now totalling 800 days, which has placed a debt burden of $6.7 million on taxpayers, although the delays are the contractor’s responsibility. The project also has 914 items that are not in accordance with the contract. 

“The scope of works did not resemble anything we saw down there,” Minister Indar said. 

To get value for the money spent, the Minister reminded the House that the contractor was castigated for the lapses and instructed to complete the outstanding works in accordance with the contract.

“What is in this Budget for one year, gives back to people that which was taken away from them for five long years,” Minister Indar said as he wrapped up his presentation.

Some $34.4 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Public Works in the proposed 2020 Budget.