Accountability Watch

So the Amaila Falls Hydro Project is back on the front burner.

Before beginning today’s article, two issues raised recently in the print media are worthy of comment: the extension of Baishanlin’s State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP); and the Presidential Inauguration expenditure.

There must be no compromise on integrity, no allowance for arrogance, no room for violation of mutual respect; there will be no sacrifice of our values on the altar of political expediency…No one is exempt from the measure of value based leadership…All my considerations are character driven.

Last week, we began a discussion of the Auditor General’s 2014 report which was laid in the National Assembly two Thursdays ago.

It was recently drawn to my attention that I had made a mistake in a number of my articles when making reference to the Public Corporation Act of 1988 and that there was an amendment to the Act which I did not take into account.

Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on society.

Before proceeding with today’s column, the recently announced 50% increase in the salaries of Ministers has created, quite justifiably, a tsunami of criticisms and condemnation from all sections of the Guyanese society.

  Before proceeding with today’s article, a few days ago, it was reported that Transparency International released its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2014.

Last week’s article on the role of the Permanent Secretary and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) in our system of public financial management generated some positive reactions.

With the change in administration following the May 11, 2015 national and regional elections, several Perma-nent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) have either been replaced or have resigned because they were candidates for the opposition political party.

Last week, the Institute of Internal Auditors Local Chapter held a two-day workshop/seminar under the theme, “Transparent Governance (Accountability for Public Funds; Internal Audit Impact in Financial Integrity).

As the announcement came that the Government has agreed to introduce a river taxi service across the Berbice River, I could not help but reminisce about the time when the Transport and Harbours Department was operating a ferry service from Rosignol to New Amsterdam.

(Part II) Last Monday, the National Assembly resolved itself into the Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2015.

Following the Minister of Finance’s presentation of the 2015 Budget on 10 August 2015, the National Assembly began a week-long general debate on the budget speech, as provided for by Section 71 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

Last Monday, the Minister of Finance presented the 2015 Budget to the National Assembly in keeping with the requirements of Article 219 (3) of the Constitution.

Last week, we discussed the Government’s decision to pay over all proceeds from the Lotto funds to the Consolidated Fund.

According to news reports, the Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, announced that the proceeds of the “Lotto Fund” will be paid directly into the Consolidated Fund and that the Minister of Finance would issue the relevant order soon.

Last week article’s generated quite a discussion in the media and elsewhere.

Today marks the 70th day since Guyana held its 2015 national and regional elections.

Today’s article focuses on three events that made the news during last week.