Former President Donald Ramotar today defended former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh over the controversial spending of $4.5b during Ramotar’s administration. A statement by Ramotar follows.
PRESS STATEMENT BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR
I feel compelled once more to respond to statements purported to have been made by Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Public Security, in which the regime once more tries to besmirch the good name of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in relation to spending of $4.5B from the treasury.
The fact of the matter is that Ashni Singh did nothing wrong and acted legally.
The Spending of the monies were based on a written decision by the chief Justice interpreting our constitution. It was also done on a written legal opinion by the thenAttorney General and by decisions of the Cabinet.Moreover, I wish to point out that the monies were used to promote the economic development of Guyana and to enhance the welfare of our people.
The behavior of the regime is a clear demonstration of its intentions to witch-hunting individuals of the former PPP/Civic Administration.
It should be noted that when Mr. Ramjattan was part of the then opposition he reported this matter to the police; it was investigated and sent to the Director of public Prosecution (DPP) for advice. The DPP found that no laws were violated.
Now in government, he is using his position to pursue ends that were already dealt with and found to be without merit.
It is pure harassment of Dr. Ashni Singh and his family. It is a crude tactic to try to embarrass a gentleman who made an outstandingcontribution to our country’s development.
This latest attack follows vicious attacks on Winston Brassington, even though Mr. Brassington had answered all questions given to him by the auditors and fully cooperated with them. Further he publicly provided explanations for every single query raised by the auditors. Despite this, his office was raided in his absence and files taken away.
The regime is misusing the state apparatus to serve its narrow political ends, to harass political opponents in the case of Dr. Ashni Singh and to create scapegoats in the case of Brassington.
This is a dangerous path that the regime has taken. This is only the beginning, eventually every public servant and every citizen will be subjected to the same harassment and victimization.
I therefore call on the democratic and peace loving forces to make their voices heard and to stop this abuse of our institutions for narrow political objective.
We have seen where such policies took us under the Burnham/Hoyte PNC Regime.
Donald Ramotar
Former President of Guyana
