Dear Editor,
On Thursday, February 20, 2014 I was invited to a Town Hall meeting at Berbice High School, New Amsterdam by the government (all councillors).
At the head table were Messrs Anil Nandlall; Ashni Singh; Fazal Jafferally; Mahadeo (of the Berbice Health Authority); David Armogan, Regional Chairman Region Six; and the Moderator, Juan Edgill. Mr Nandlall and Mr Singh gave their presentations and the floor was opened for questions and suggestions.
I went to the podium and raised three questions:
1. Why, after 11 years has the government not passed the anti-money laundering bill after repeated reminders?
According to Mr Nandlall, there never was a bill and the opposition is peddling a lie.
2. Why has no one has been convicted under the existing act after receiving so many complaints?
Mr Nandlall replied saying that these complaints were all suspicious ones.
3.The opposition said it wanted to put teeth into this bill and is suggesting that one must not have more the US$10,000, or G$2,000,000 in their possession and could be questioned about how they came to be holding same. If this amount is inadequate what is the government proposal? Is it $10M, $100M or $1 Billion?
Mr Nandlall said the government will not agree to this because the opposition wants to take away the small man’s money. And he continued to accuse me of presenting what someone gave to me to read.
I am calling for an apology from Mr Nandlall for his personal remarks towards me.
Yours faithfully,
Winston Hope
Councillor
