Georgetown : Describing recent articles and headlines in the private print media as attempts to make technical issues political and score cheap points, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh soundly refuted them as his briefed the media, last evening at a press conference at the National Communications Network studios.
Referring to a recent article in the Kaieteur News about the Parliamentary Speaker being “concerned” about the use of the Contingency Fund, Minister Singh stated emphatically that his ministry has always returned to the National Assembly to seek approval for the use of any funds.
He said this was always done during the 9th parliament, when the government had the majority. During the 10th parliament, he said that despite the government being in the minority, similar approaches were made with six financial papers, Number 7 and 9 of 2011, 4 and 6 of 2012, along with 2 and 4 of 2013 were submitted for parliamentary scrutiny and approval.
Of the total amount of $9.4 billion, he noted that $8.7 billion, some 92.6% of additional funds requested from the Contingency Fund, was approved by the Parliament, in accordance with the laws and as constitutionally mandated.
“Here you have the Parliament saying 92.6% of the values of the transactions entered into by this government, we endorse and are prepared to approve. Where is this abuse that is a screaming front page headline?…What this says in fact is that the National Assembly endorsed responsible use of the Contingency Fund, that is what the statistics say”.
he unapproved funds were connected to the stance taken by the political Opposition against Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee at the time, the Finance Minister observed. “The facts do not support what is being said,” he added.
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