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Aug 08, 2014 News
– APNU to press for explanation on Rodney COI expenditure
Even though Parliament is going into a two month recess, the main opposition party A Partnership for National Unity will still be pursuing Finance Minister Ashni Singh, to get answers on how $112M was spent at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.
APNU Parliamentarian Joseph Harmon said yesterday that the issue continues to be a matter of concern for the Party. He is insisting that there is a “leakage” and the Finance Minister must give an explanation for what he calls a “total wastage of funds”.
“The Minister has to answer why they are bringing witnesses into the country, hosting them at hotels and sending them back without testifying,” Harmon told Kaieteur News. It was reported that the Commission had brought in Former Police Crime Chief Cecil “Skip” Roberts from the United States for 12 days and he was unable to testify. Roberts, according to reports, stayed at the Sleep In Hotel.
Harmon said that his Party is very concerned about who is receiving what at the Commission. “The fact that Parliament is going into recess, does not exclude the fact that the Minister has to answer the House,” Harmon maintained.
He said that he intends to follow up this matter and would be writing to Parliament to ensure the answers are provided whether it is in session or not.
Harmon had earlier said that the Government will first have to show how the money was spent before they decided on whether more funds should be voted for the Commission.
He had made the comment to Kaieteur News, in the wake of pronouncements by President Donald Ramotar, that Government would be seeking more funds.
Ramotar had told reporters at a press conference that there is a possibility of more money being allotted for the Commission since it has been extended until September. Back in February, President Ramotar said that the Rodney Commission will not come cheap and that he knew for a fact that the money would be well spent.
Denying that there was any ulterior motive in holding the inquiry, Ramotar had said that his Government was fulfilling the wishes of Rodney’s wife, Patricia.
He had said that the Terms of Reference which some parties have been protesting over were crafted by Rodney’s family and advisors, along with some technical help from Government. Ramotar stressed that it was Rodney’s wife who made the comment about not wanting it to be political.
The terms include “examining the facts and circumstances immediately prior at the time of and subsequent to the death of Dr. Rodney in order to determine as far as possible, who or what was responsible for the explosion resulting in the death of Rodney”.
Since the commencement of the Commission, several issues have been raised by lawyers representing interested parties. Attorney at Law Basil Williams, Selwyn Pieters and Joseph Harmon have all been very vocal on how the Commission is functioning.
Harmon, who is representing the Ex-GDF Association, had called for the Chairman of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry Sir Richard Cheltenham QC, to remove himself from the proceedings.
According to Harmon, Cheltenham had been on record as saying that he was a follower of Rodney and that his death should be an inspiration to others.
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