The Alliance for Change (AFC) on Friday called on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government to implement a list of ten demands which address transparency, accountability and job creation among other areas.
Speaking on behalf of the AFC at a press conference, Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo highlighted numerous causes for concern and undelivered promises made by the Donald Ramotar administration after the Novem-ber 28, 2011 General Elections.
The demands come amid intimations by the AFC that it is moving towards tabling a motion of no-confidence against the government.
Among the demands were the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission and the appointment of all members of the Integrity Commission. Nagamootoo demanded that the Government take immediate steps to tackle corruption in the public sector including a forensic audit of the operations of government holding company, NICIL, a forensic audit of all subsidies and additional spending on the Skeldon Sugar Factory, for NICIL to transfer all cash balances into the Consolidated Fund and to address the issue of sole sourcing of drugs from New GPC.
He added that the government must deal with the issue of tax reform to reduce the impact of taxation on public sector wages. He also cited crime, money laundering, rampant corruption and enhancement of security for citizens. Nagamootoo charged that the PPP/C has refused to carry out reforms to tackle these issues.
He stressed the issues surrounding the Berbice Bridge Toll, calling for an immediate reduction in the toll fee for crossing the river and the construction of a new non-floating bridge across the Demerara River. A date for Local Government Elections for 2014 was also raised along with measures and programmes which can be used to create and stimulate jobs for unemployed youths across the country.
He noted that while these issues are being overlooked, the reckless spending of taxpayers’ moneys and the misuse of the State media continues unabated, bombarding Guyanese on a daily basis with lies, half-truths and personal attacks on Opposition members and parliamentarians. To combat this, he posited that the authorities appoint broad-based Boards for the state media and allow equitable access for all Opposition Parties.
Another sore issue for the AFC is what it says is the misuse and illegal spending of public funds which according to Nagamootoo “is not authorized by the National Assembly”. He called for tripartite talks for agreements on budget items which all parties agree and support. This last issue has been a burning concern for both opposition groups and may be the tipping point for a possible no-confidence vote in the National Assembly against the PPP/C Government.
