In another of a series of statements lamenting the stalled hydropower project, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh today said that unless the main opposition, APNU changes its mind, it seems the Amaila scheme has died.
He said that the IDB’s due diligence on the project has ceased and without it the public review of the Amaila Falls project cannot go ahead. APNU has said numerous serious questions remain to be answered by the government.
Singh’s statement follows:
“The IDB’s due diligence has now ceased, and without it, the public review of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project cannot move forward. APNU was asked to join a consensus which would let the independent IDB complete its last few weeks of work on the Project’s due diligence. Most importantly, it would have facilitated a six week public review of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
“Having spent millions of dollars over many years, involving hundreds of experts, their views and expertise could have been used to resolve any issues the APNU would have had with this project. Instead the party chooses to prevent the IDB from completing its work without reason.
This is yet another clear indication that APNU’s goal is not to gain a better understanding of the project, but to hold the public ransom for its own political mileage.
“APNU is not being asked to support the finalisation of the project, rather they are being asked to join a political consensus that would move the project out of the exclusive realm of politicians in the last few months of its design. They have been furnished with exactly the same information as Government and have been engaged over a year and a half with the expectation that they would actively participate in supporting “the project.
Even today, should they require further answers there is President Donald Ramotar’s repeated invitation to meet to discuss any concerns or questions in detail. If the APNU was serious about this project, they would have accepted the invitation and be prepared with their list of questions and concerns. Their unwilliness to meet with the President and his technical team is yet another clear sign that they are not serious about resolving this impasse that could otherwise positively change the course of Guyana’s future.
“Unless there is a rapid and radical change in APNU’s willingness to let the IDB do its work, and to let the people of Guyana have their say during the six week public review process, it seems that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project has died.
