TIGI still silent on APNU+AFC gov’t scandals; downplayed work of civil society – VP Jagdeo – Guyana Chronicle

THE silence from the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) during the dismal events under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has not escaped the eye of commentators who are looking on and questioning whether the organization is biased.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during his press conference on Friday, said there are 75 scandals documented under the APNU+AFC while it was in government which were not addressed by the TIGI.

He noted, however, that TIGI has repeatedly submitted reports to its international partners claiming that the APNU+AFC had done actions which attempted to underscore the coalition as transparent when it was that they were compelled to act transparently following pressure from civil society organizations, the media, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) when it was in Opposition.

Two such scandals are the Georgetown parking meters scandal which was endorsed by the coalition government from the inception, and the non-disclosure of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited.

The Vice President blasted the TIGI for supporting a narrative that the PPP/C was corrupt, while remaining silent on such issues like the D’Urban Park scandal, which the APNU+AFC had left the taxpayers of Guyana with more than billion dollar bill, while claiming that the project was not funded with public funds.

It was later disclosed that some $600 million of taxpayers’ dollars remained unaccounted for.