Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 29, 2015 Editorial
Almost every day, the nation is being bombarded about the corrupt practices at NICIL and other state agencies, but after spending $137 million on audits, the government has not filed charges against anyone. The audit report on NICIL revealed that billions of dollars are either missing or unaccounted for, but the government has opted to send the head of NICIL and his deputy on leave.
It is reported that the head of NICIL misled the nation on several occasions about the entity’s financial transactions. There were the expenditures on the Marriott Hotel, the Berbice Bridge and the development of several acres of land at Pradoville Two that benefited an ex-president, ex-ministers and their friends.
For the last decade, the operations of NICIL were secretive and corrupt. Its Chief Executive Officer has shown no remorse for his alleged unethical behaviour. In fact, he has told the nation that he did what the Jagdeo/Ramotar Cabinet had instructed him to do. The logical question is, would he have followed the instructions of the cabinet and jump off the Kaieteur Falls? However, the government seems confused about the future of NICIL and appears to be backing down from its campaign promise to file charges against those allegedly involved in corruption. Furthermore, the government has not made the audit reports public or has not issued any statements on the findings. But the people should hold government accountable.
The audit report on NICIL has found some alarming discrepancies about the reckless use of billions of dollars on the Marriott Hotel without the benefit of a feasibility study to determine the hotel’s economic and long-term viability. And it has been alleged that the former PPP administration used public funds to build the hotel without the approval of Parliament. This is both a violation and an abuse of Articles 216 and 217 of the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act by the previous government.
Furthermore, the selection of the Contractor, SCG International by the previous government to construct the Marriott Hotel, was done in secret because at the time the company was facing allegation charges for corruption in Trinidad and Tobago.
Furthermore, the award of the contract for over US$50 million a few days before the November 28, 2011 elections, was done in a hurry without prior Cabinet approval to facilitate the company. This should be of serious concern for the new government. The former government used revenues from the proceeds of dividends from several public corporations, the sale of State assets and the Treasury to fund the construction of the hotel—a total betrayal of the trust of the people.
It is time for this government to act swiftly and prosecute those who have allegedly violated the laws of the country. Justice must be done to prevent such reckless and crooked behaviour in the future. No deeds should go unpunished and status or wealth should not prevent anyone from prosecution for wrong doing.
No one should be above the laws of the country as outlined in the Constitution. Almost every day, the small man is being incarcerated by judges and magistrates for petty crimes, but it seems that the elites who have embezzled billions of dollars of state funds are investigated for wrong doing and then set free.
The forensic audits launched by the government six months ago have provided evidence of the pilfering of state funds, yet not a single perpetrator has been charged. Simply put, there is hardly any justice for the poor masses in Guyana.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – After a series of outstanding performances in 2023, Tianna Springer, dubbed the ‘wonder girl’, is eagerly gearing up to compete in this year’s...Kaieteur News – Good Friday in Guyana is not what it used to be. The day has lost much of its solemnity. The one day... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – In the face of escalating global environmental challenges, water scarcity and... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]