In wake of Acting Chief Justice Roxane George’s admonition, the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) today dispatched a letter to the Attorney General Anil Nandlall with the hope of resolving the ongoing dispute over funding for the organisation.
At a press conference this morning, Chairman of IDPADA-G’s Coordinating Council, Vincent Alexander said “the idea is to have dialogue and our objective is to pursue the release of moneys for last year and to ensure that the moneys are released for the rest of the decade”.
The Government has been withholding IDPADA-G’s monthly subvention of $8M over claims of mismanagement – an allegation the organisation has rubbished.
With the matter now engaging the attention of the High Court, the Chief Justice has urged the two sides to consider a mediator. She said the issue is a national embarrassment and ought to be resolved.
Mr Alexander said while IDPADA-G has written the Attorney General, it has not nominated a mediator.
“We have simply made a request for dialogue and we think that’s the first state. The question of mediator that would have to be mutually determined, so we have not jumped the gun by suggesting who should be the mediator but what we have done is to say we would like to have discussions on the matter,” Mr Alexander explained.
To date some $49M in government funding has not been paid over to the organisation.
IDPADA-G’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes expressed the hope that the Attorney General would respond to the letter with alacrity.
To date, many of the letters dispatched to the Government including President Irfaan Ali have been met with silence, but the Attorney remains hopeful given the urging of the court.
He noted, however, the letter would have little impact on the case.
“This letter, even though it emanated from Court proceedings does not have an impact on the Court proceedings. The court proceedings continue in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules,” the Attorney explained.
When the case against the Government was called late last month, four organisations – the Guyana Rastafarian Council, the People of African Descent Region 10, the African Movement and Anbessa Sustainable Development Foundation – which claimed to have a vested interest in the case were refused permission to be added to the case.
The organisations claimed that while they were founding members, they were excluded when the company was converted to a limited liability company but the Chairman of IDPADA-G also refuted this allegation.
He told the press that all members of IDPADA-G remain members under the company.
“I am saddened by their own level of understanding. We have been incorporated into a company and unlike what is being peddled our documentation clearly specifies that we are a not-for-profit organisation. And if one reads the article, one would see that the manner in which our assets can be disposed of, if we are dissolved, there is no individual beneficiary,” Mr Alexander.
He told reporters that at least two of the organisations have benefited from financial grants, in one case to the tune of $3M.
Meanwhile, Mr Alexander said though Government’s decision to withhold the monthly subvention has left the organization ‘handicap,’ it continues to function with support from local and international organisations that have offered financial support. Several staff including the Chief Executive Office Olive Sampson continue to volunteer, providing much needed support to the Afro-Guyanese community.
He said the organisation can make an even greater impact with funding from Government.
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