IDPADA-G files lawsuit against government over $8M monthly subvention
The International Decade for People of African Descent-Guyana (IDPADA-G) has moved to the High Court seeking to compel the government to fork out its monthly subvention, which was halted in September.
In a Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed by a battery of Attorneys-at-Law led by Nigel Hughes, the Assembly listed Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. as respondents.
Hughes contends that since 2018, there has been an approved subvention by the National Assembly for IDPADA-G. He argues that this creates a legit expectation in law.
The lawyer further disclosed that the termination of the payment was without cause, which is unlawful and without merit. Among other things, the Assembly is seeking an order compelling the government to release its subvention.
At a press conference held on Friday, the Chairman of the not-for-profit organisation Vincent Alexander insisted that the “government must be held accountable.”
For its part, Alexander noted that IDPADA-G has delivered on its mandate.
“IDPADA-G, on its part, crafted a Strategic Plan through a consultative process and sought to advocate for Policies and Programmes aimed at recognition, justice, and development for the people of African Descent and all others in the society who might benefit from improvements in education, training, equal access to good health care, finance and proceeds of the nation’s patrimony.”
At a press conference, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had accused the organisation’s leadership of misusing the subvention. However, IDPADA-G’s leaders refused this claim.
Minister Ramson Jr. had requested the organisation hand over its financial records. But Alexander informed the Minister of the audit done by the Ministry of Finance’s Central Internal Audit Unit into the receipts and disbursements of funds for 2018 to 2021.
Comments