APNU+AFC in ‘damage control’ mode – PPP
Friday, October 16 2015, Source
BLITZKRIEG was the term used by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to encapsulate the onslaught of criticisms leveled against the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, in wake of the massive salary increase it gave itself. However, the other issue that is being talked about by APNU+AFC officials, the recommendation by the Asset Recovery Unit for charged to be laid against PPP members over what has been dubbed ‘Pradoville 1’ and ‘Pradoville 2’.
The PPP in a statement, all considered, contends that “damage control” is the order of the day and shifting attention to the PPP for alleged corruption, which was investigated by its own supporters – and as such could not be fair and free from bias.
The Party said, “One of the tools in the damage control tool box the government has resorted to is the technique called “diversion”; it is used to divert attention away from an issue such as the current salary increase debacle which the Granger-led APNU+AFC coalition administration has come under severe criticism for on a daily basis.”
“The government is hoping that by diverting the public’s attention away from itself and the obnoxious salary increase doled out to its Ministers, el at; and further, by shifting attention to the so-called Pradoville 2 inquisition by leaking the “results of the investigation and recommendations” by the shady and cabalistic Asset Recovery Unit, whose legality, composition and Terms of Reference remains a mystery, that they will succeed in re-focusing the public’s attention from itself and the current morass to the fabricated Pradoville 2 Nancy story,” it added.
Consequently, the PPP made clear its condemnation for “these vicious and vengeful” attempts by the modern-day APNU+AFC inquisitionists.
“The PPP will not be daunted by the on-going APNU+AFC witch-hunting and campaign of vilification,” it said.
ON THE BACK FOOT
“(The criticisms) by a wide cross section of Guyanese society expressing their disgust and rejection of the shameless and unconscionable salary increase has the APNU+AFC coalition government on the back foot,” the Party said in a statement.
It added, “In a desperate effort to wage a fight-back, several beneficiaries of the largesse from the treasury have come out in defense of their defenseless ‘split the spoils, mates’ syndrome.”
The PPP called attention to the fact that first, it was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, followed by Attorney General, Basil Williams, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan and then Governance Minister, Raphael Trotman.
“(They all) came out in Viva Zapata style defending their hefty pay hikes. Others are bound to follow suit as the coalition sinks deeper and deeper in the quagmire which they have found themselves.
The Party expressed the view that the “apologists” for the David Granger-led coalition administration have failed miserably in their efforts at deception and will continue to do so.
“Trotman’s most recent ‘trust us, believe us’ pleadings have been clumsy and must be seen as further blundering by his administration. And the attempt to divert attention away from the salary issue is quite obvious to all and sundry,” the PPP said.
It stressed that these efforts are another manifestation of the incompetence of the Granger-led administration to fool the people.
“In effect, their defence has been transformed into pyrrhic counter-attack and the target is the opposition as is to be expected,” the PPP said, “Trotman’s ‘trust us….believe us’ entreaties will fall on deaf ears and his attempt to defend his hapless colleague, Joe Harmon, still smarting from the wounds for his insensitive and arrogant, ‘No apologies to make’ outburst, re-enforces their determination that they will not to budge on the issue.”
The PPP noted too that it remains convinced that the truth will out and the Party’s unsinkable faith in the people in general, and its members and supporters in particular, will eventually see the APNU+AFC being a sorry sight.
The September 25th edition of the Official Gazette confirmed that the Prime Minister and all Government Ministers have received a salary increase. Nagamootoo, at the top of the earning bracket, will now earn $20.6M, a 10 per cent increase from what former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was paid. Senior Ministers have had their pay packets doubled from $6.9M to $10.5m. Junior Minister will now be paid $8.3M. House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland, will also benefit and his salary has been upped from $6.9M to $10.4M. President David Granger will also benefit from a salary increase of 5 per cent, equivalent to $1.2M more a year.
