Former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson today said that the practice of giving memorabilia and gifts to Ministers is not new and that Ministers from both sides of the political divide have been presented with such.
His statement today acknowledged that he had received gifts from government agencies under his management as reported in today’s edition of Stabroek News.
Patterson said that at no time did he ever solicit or influence the presentation of gifts and he had not received electronic items.
A statement issued by Patterson follows:
LET THE FACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Georgetown, Guyana, January 20, 2021: Mr. David Patterson, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the Alliance For Change says recent reports regarding gifts presented to him as Minister are misleading, mischievous and designed to seek political advantage by either embarrassment or distraction. He said the plan, which is being orchestrated by government sympathisers within the broad spectrum of the media, is designed to malign and tarnish his good character but he reaffirmed that such a plan is doomed to failure.
Mr. Patterson said that the practice of giving memorabilia and other gifts to Ministers is not new, and Ministers from both sides of the political divide have been presented with gifts and other memorabilia on numerous special occasions.
“In my case, at no time did I ever request, solicit or influence in any way the action of any agency in relation to the presentation of gifts to me or other officials of the government,” Mr. Patterson explained.
“I believe it is also necessary to state that I had no prior knowledge of any decision or details relating to the purchase or presentation of gifts to anyone, including myself,” he added.
He further stated that he assumed that gifts presented to him during his incumbency were fully compliant with the procurement guidelines of the giving agency. The standard policy directives stipulate how such matters should be handled as directed by Cabinet decision, by circular from the Ministry of Finance or by Board policy.
He further said he was not blinded or frightened by accusations and he rejects and repudiates the veiled attempt at racial stereotyping in some of the comments circulating in the media space.
Mr Patterson added that, “it has also come to my attention that it is further alleged that I received a number of electronic items, such as phones, iPads and laptops. This is absolutely untrue, and I categorically deny it. Whoever fabricated this lie obviously does not know that, for security and other reasons, I do not accept electronics of any kind from any agency, including the government, and I have always personally selected and purchased all electronic items I own. For instance, for this reason, I did not accept a mobile telephone offered by the Parliament to Ministers”.
Mr Patterson said that the lies and the so-called revelation of the gifts are a deliberate and blatant attempt at character assassination for political purposes, which will not succeed in derailing his objective of overseeing the government’s expenditure and procurement practices through his chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and representation of the Guyanese people in Parliament.
“It would have precisely the opposite effect, as I will be guided by the oversight rules, laws and policies to relentlessly ensure good governance, including proper expenditure according to best practice,” Mr Patterson stated.
He has assured the public of his continued commitment to serving the people of Guyana without fear or favour and that he will not be side-tracked by political attacks or red herring accusations by partisan sycophants who have little or nothing to contribute to the public good and welfare.
“I will resist these baseless attacks from whichever quarters they emanate”.