APNU Member of Parliament, Sharma Solomon is taking the Government to task over what he sees as its continued wastage of public funds, poor planning, bad project management and corruption.

In a statement, MP Solomon said with Guyana set to receive the largest windfall from oil and gas revenues as profits are set to increase with billions already flowing through the Treasury, ordinary Guyanese continue not to see direct benefits.

Solomon said while President Ali has pointed out that higher oil revenues are offset by rising commodity prices, that explanation alone cannot account for the reality facing Guyanese families.

“The greater challenge confronting Guyana is not simply the price of imported goods. The greater challenge is the waste of public resources, poor project management and corruption. The Government cannot ask citizens to accept rising living costs while billions of dollars are being lost through projects plagued by overruns, delays, redesigns and questionable spending decisions,” the Opposition MP said in a statement.

Solomon referenced the gas to energy project, explaining that the cost has ballooned far beyond its projections. He said the reports of pipeline maintenance and repair activities even before the project has delivered the benefits promised to the people are already concerning.

Only last week, millions of US dollars were spent to maintain a pipeline that is still awaiting the completion of Wales Gas-to-Energy facility.

“The Bellevue Pump Station has faced significant cost concerns and questions surrounding execution. The Hero’s Highway has already required additional spending and modifications after initial construction. Across the country, infrastructure projects repeatedly return to the public purse for supplementary funding. This is not a shortage of money. This is a failure to manage money,” Mr. Solomon said.

Further, Mr. Solomon said corruption remains a big problem in the country.

He said even as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo spoke of the need for stronger systems to address corruption and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh spoke of strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, corruption remains rampant.

“The question therefore becomes, if corruption is acknowledged, if waste is evident and if revenues are growing at unprecedented levels, why are Guyanese not seeing greater returns in their daily lives? Why do blackouts remain common? Why do communities still struggle with drainage related issues? Why do hospitals continue to face shortages? Why do teachers, nurses, public servants and pensioners continue to feel left behind despite record national revenues,” Solomon questioned.

He Guyana’s challenge is not a lack of revenue but is ensuring that the revenue from oil are managed honestly, efficiently and in the best interest of the people.

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