Daily News– The Alliance for Change (AFC) has come to the defense of its General Secretary and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. Patterson, after denying that he ever received gifts while being Minister of Government, is now saying that it was not an infringement on his integrity while he was Minister.
Patterson received over $2.6 million dollars in gifts from several agencies under his watch while being Minister of Public Infrastructure under the previous APNU+AFC administration.
“The AFC wishes to state categorically that it has full confidence in the integrity of Mr. Patterson and holds him as a person of great fortitude of character, who performed his duties as Minister of Public Infrastructure in the APNU+AFC Administration with the highest standards of public probity,” the AFC stated.
“The larger issue here might be that a complete re-examination of gifting with a view to establishing clearer policy guidelines on the issue of Ministerial gifts from Ministries, Agencies and Departments is needed to be done by the government.
This, we believe is required to ensure accountability and transparency, in contrast to Mr. Edghill’s rants, which have only served to generate disrespect instead of guidance on the matter which should be important to all Guyanese.”
The AFC is of the belief that Minister Edghill is out to tarnish Patterson’s reputation and prevent him from executing his duties as Public Accounts Committee Chairman. The party wants Edghill to offer an apology to Patterson.
. “The AFC wishes to state categorically that it has full confidence in the integrity of Mr. Patterson and holds him as a person of great fortitude of character, who performed his duties as Minister of Public Infrastructure in the APNU+AFC Administration with the highest standards of public probity. The larger issue here might be that a complete re-examination of gifting with a view to establishing clearer policy guidelines on the issue of Ministerial gifts from Ministries, Agencies and Departments is needed to be done by the government.
This, we believe is required to ensure accountability and transparency, in contrast to Mr. Edghill’s rants, which have only served to generate disrespect instead of guidance on the matter which should be important to all Guyanese,” the AFC noted.
A no confidence motion against Patterson as the Public Accounts Committee Chair is expected at the next sitting.
This story is developing and Daily News will keep you updated.
