Local News

GOVERNMENT MUST PROVE ACCCOUNTABILITY & TRANSPARENCY

St. George’s, Grenada – December 8th 2010:  Former Minister for Finance Hon. Anthony Boatswain is calling on the Prime Minister to be honest, accountable and transparent with Grenadians and provide the list of the names of persons hired by statutory bodies since July 8th 2008. He is also asking the Prime Minister to state the amount spent on overseas travel for the same period.

According to Sen. Boatswain, the NDC came into office claiming to be honest, transparent and accountable but has been proving that they are incapable of living up to these principles…  He strongly points that the nation has a right to know how tax payer dollars are being spent and has expressed great concern about what appears to be an attempt by the Government to hide information from the public.  He said for many months the opposition has been requesting but the Government seem not prepared to disclose this information.

The public must be reminded that the Opposition some months ago requested the names of persons hired by Government since taking office on July 8, 2008, requesting details of the salaries, allowances and other perks provided by them. The Government sometime later gave the list of those hired through the central Government and promised to provide the information for those hired through Government Statutory Bodies and other Government Agencies at the next sitting of Parliament. It has been over seven months since and no information has been provided.

As another example of the Government’s failure to live up to its promise of accountability and transparency, Sen. Boatswain points out that the nation has not been advised of the amount spent to rename the airport.  The Government also continues to refuse to provide information on the amount spent on overseas travel.

On another matter of great importance, Sen. Boatswain is drawing attention to the failure of   the Government to convene regular meetings of the Finance Committee of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of the Law.   The purpose of these   meetings is to help to ensure that there is true transparency and accountability in Government.  The former Finance Minister says that it is strange that a Government has promised so much openness and Good Governance is refusing to abide with the law and also take advantage of the opportunity to show that it is transparent and accountable.

Senator boatswain stresses that the Opposition awaits information from the Government on these and other very important matters. He is saying that the Government must show that it does more than talk about principles and standards. 

The nation needs deeds not mere words. It is waiting.

Comments are closed.