Almost three weeks after Region Eight Chairman Mark Crawford queried spending by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsawack using Regional Democratic Council (RDC) funds, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee yesterday sought to provide answers on behalf of the government.
At the PPP’s weekly press conference, Rohee stated that the account in question did not show any charges that represented expenses for non-RDC spending. Rohee said a total of $14 million was spent, with $6 million paid as stipends to toshaos and councillors and for which signatures had to be provided prior to funds being released.
Aware that queries had been lodged by Crawford over the spending, Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker had told Stabroek News that a statement would be forthcoming since Crawford made allegations of misuse of funds on January 29. Previously, Whittaker had stated that Harsawack would be