The Office of the President has said the suggestion by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) that Norway and the Inter-American Development (IDB) are “colluding” with the government of Guyana to illegally spend funds for the Amaila Falls project is “ridiculous,” while calling on the opposition party to apologise.
In a statement, the Office of the President noted that both entities have long been supporters of Guyana, the global fight against poverty and the international community’s efforts to combat climate change.
“Their motivation in assisting the people of Guyana is purely honourable,” it further said, before adding, “The idea that such a conspiracy could be concocted between the Government of Guyana, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Government of Norway is simply ridiculous.”
President Donald Ramotar had previously announced that arrangements were being put in place for US$80M, which would comprise Guyana’s equity to implement the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. He said government expects to soon achieve financial closure on the deal and start construction.
However, on Tuesday, the WPA accused Norway and the IDB of colluding with the Guyana Government “to take part in the unlawful spending of public funds” in the wake of the announcement that the US$80M sum was being secured for a project that was voted against in the parliament by the opposition with its one-seat majority.
The WPA said that the constitution “unambiguously” requires that all monies belonging to Guyana be paid into the Consolidated Fund, including sums receivable by Guyana under the five-year forest protection agreement between Guy-ana and Norway. The group said the announcement that Norway recently asked the IDB to receive US$80M as Guyana’s equity in the project is “a flagrant violation of the Guyana Constitution and the arrangement between Norway, the IDB and no doubt Guyana amounts to a conspiracy.”
