Newly elected APNU Member of Parliament, Saiku Andrews, is promising to hold the Government’s feet to the fire to ensure Guyanese get value for money in the execution of projects across the country.

Mr. Andrews was among the 65 Members of Parliament who took the Oath of Office on Monday as the the 13^th Parliament convened at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The prominent businessman and award-winning gospel singer, will hold oversight responsibility for the Ministries of Public Works, Utilities and Infrastructure on behalf of the APNU’s team in the National Assembly.

He said for the next five years, he will be on the ground keenly monitoring projects across the country to ensure that those projects are executed to specification, and that Guyanese get value for their money.

“As a businessman I like to know that if I spent my money I extract the most benefit out of it. So, I bring that perspective to the National Assembly. So, like I said, I am not anti-development but my job is to scrutinize ever expenditure with regards to public infrastructure, just to ensure not only that projects are being done but that the projects that benefit the people are done,” MP Andrews told News Source.

He said the 13^th Parliament is in session at a time when the country is experiencing exponential growth, and it is therefore important that the finances of the country are properly managed and utilized.

“The economic hit men are at our doors, and so, it is imperative that the people who represent the people, hold the Government accountable. So it is not just about any project for the sake of saying it is a nice project but does it benefit the people? Are the moneys that you are going to spend, are you getting value for money? Those are the questions that need to be answered and those are the questions that we will be asking,” MP Andrews said.

MP Andrews is one of 12 APNU Members in the new Parliament.

In 2024, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Transport and Harbours Department and the Cheddi Jagan International Corporation, which are all statutory bodies that fall under the Ministries that Andrews will be overlooking on behalf of his party, received more than $7.6 Billion in funds. However, they all remain in breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act as they have not submitted their accounts to the National Assembly for its consideration.

Added to that, according to the Auditor General’s Report for the period 2024, a single contractor was overpaid as much a $556.4 Million on a total of seven contracts awarded.

Andrews said issues like those will be under his microscope in the current Parliament.

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