By Kurt Campbell
![Attorney General (left) Anil Nandall and Attorney - at - Law, Basil Williams. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Budget-1.jpg)
To this end, a Court Order was filed by the APNU in the High Court which came up yesterday before Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang and was put off until December 29.
Shadow Legal Affairs Minister and Deputy Speaker, Basil Williams told Reporters this morning, [Tuesday December 16], that it is important for the matter to be resolved urgently, lest government embarks on a splurge of the nation’s money.
“APNU’s Court action filed against the government is intended to stop the pillaging of the nation’s resources and secure the independence of the Parliament,” Williams asserted.
He is hopeful that the matter will be treated with the highest degree of urgency; pointing out that even if the matter runs into elections next year, its resolution is important as Guyana prepares to deal with a minority government.
Williams reminded of the approximately $37 billion that was disapproved by the combined opposition during the 2014 budget consideration. But despite this action, the Executive still went ahead and spent $4.5 billion of those disapproved funds as disclosed by the Finance Minister.
The APNU is worried that the administration may have already spent most, if not all of the disapproved funds.
Williams contended that the government’s action amounts to a breach of the doctrine of the separation of powers as it abridged the decisions of the Parliament and its independence.
APNU is now seeking a Conservatory Order from the Court to stay all spending or any further spending on the programmes disapproved by the National Assembly and other u authorized spending by the government.
Already, Attorney General Anil Nandlall has dismissed the APNU’s court action; maintaining that the administration’s expenditure was lawful and done using provisions in the constitution. Williams, on the other hand, maintains that the APNU’s case has merit and is confident of a victory.
Meanwhile, Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge argued that all expenditure by the Executive must be considered and approved by the House, according to the Guyana Constitution.
He said if the government is allowed to spend both funds that were approved and not approved then there is simply no real value in the consideration and approval of monies to be expended from the consolidated funds.
“The Executive has no power to spend at will,” he said; adding that “the Court seems confused too about the constitution regarding financial regulation.”
He warned that there were sanctions for officers who have gone ahead along with Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and spent disapproved funds.
the persauds that want pnc back in power should attend promptly..
anand persaud mike persaud..vishnu persaud…gino persaud..yesu persaud..
what matters most is not whether the funds were approved or disapproved by the opposition.the important thing is that the funds were spent to improve the country.
Basil Williams, is the most corrupt among the PNC lawyers, Williams, should continue to consult with Winston Felix. These depraved minds mean power at any cost. I think the PPP should extend Jones Town, and give it to the PNC to live free.
Hey Williams, did the economist (minister of finance) spend the money on his house,
or on himself? OR is the Economist spending the money towards the Modernization, of rich and beautiful Guyana. Go back to the square of the revolution and listen to your father the devil. You know, I really thank God for his interventions in beautiful/rich Guyana. May God continue to watch over us, and allow us to exercise wisdom in our daily activities.
‘The APNU is worried that the administration may have already spent most, if not all of the disapproved funds.’
A guess is not a fact.
Kindly tell this to PNCites/AFCites blogging morons.
They are known to distort facts and peddle lies consistently and on a daily basis.
They must be freaking out as we speak.
Not an expert on constitutional matters but from what I was told and what the learned judge, Hon Ian Chang, ruled, that the opposition can approve/disapprove the entire budget. If disapproved, the govt would have fallen and subsequently, new elections. This is based on the Westminster style parliamentary practices that is now being used in Guyana. i am of the firm belief, that the opposition has nothing to offer the electorate and is just ”trying a thing” knowing fully well, they will loose in the courts.The opposition camp is so fragmented that each is trying to outdo the other, each wants to grab power so that they can dip their sticky fingers into the treasury that was once empty under the PNC/ Greenidge stewardship. I fear the same will repeat itself should they get their way; the return of rigged elections, squandermania, political and racial discrimination, empty shop shelves and rampant contraband trade. All this happened before and is staring straight into the face of the Guyanese people of all political persuasions, religions or ethnicity
Every time APNU takes a matter to the court they say the have confidence that they will win. 100% of the time they lost. That is the realty and that will remain that way.