If elected to serve as Guyana’s next President, Irfaan Ali has assured that no Minister in a Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Government will have contact with the Natural Resources Fund (NRF). The PPP Presidential Candidate made this assertion during a recent interview he had with Kit Nascimento which focused on his party’s plans for oil and gas as well as perspectives on the current government’s preparations for the sector.
Ali was keen to note that one of the first things his party wants to do is ensure the Fund is managed in a way that will see politicians having an arm’s length away. He said that this is the very reason why the PPP did not give its blessings to the current framework that was instituted by the APNU+AFC administration.
The Presidential hopeful said, “…We will have no ministerial control as is presently the case. It is necessary because a government could come in and think is beneficial to take 10 percent of the money and use it on projects that aren’t economical…They can also reach into these funds to use it to support them during a democratic crisis…”
Ali said that a priority for his government would also be ensuring that there is rigid parliamentary oversight for the Fund while stressing the need for the legislative body to prepare itself for this new role. He said it is essential for the Parliament to prepare in this regard as it would be providing a national stamp on projects to be financed from the Fund.
Ali added, “…We want to have a consultative process, a parliamentary process in determining the expenditure. And the process would be scrutinized by the people. Having Parliament involved also keeps the opposition involved in the process too.” (See link for full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWn_FaLClIs&feature=push-fr&attr_tag=7sVrgZkXBY3tLv2Q%3A6)
