Anil Nandlall, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, has strongly criticized the relentless “bombardment” of constitutional and independent agencies by politicians, in light of recent criticisms levelled against the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) by an Opposition parliamentarian.
Nandlall expressed deep concern over the potential erosion of the agencies’ independence, highlighting the need to safeguard their ability to fulfill their constitutional duties impartially and without undue influence. The AG’s comments come amidst ongoing discussions regarding the PPC’s actions, with reference to a letter from Member of Parliament David Patterson, who launched a blistering critique, questioning the commission’s leadership, integrity, and independence.
Nandlall underscored the constitutional mandate that ensures the PPC’s independence, impartiality, and fair functioning. He voiced his alarm at the increasing threats of intimidation, unfounded public attacks, and unwarranted interference faced by these independent constitutional bodies. In particular, he drew attention to the recent incident involving another opposition MP and the head of the local elections machinery.
“In the circumstances, this vitriolic outpouring by Mr. Patterson must be condemned and this constant bombardment of our independent institutions, especially by politicians, be deprecated. The motives are clear as they are abominable. They are intended to sap these agencies of their independence, thereby compromising their ability to discharge their constitutional duties with the requisite impartiality and fairness.
Only a few days ago the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), another constitutionally independent commission, was forced to report to the Guyana Police Force, a threat to her life by Mr. Pattenson’s Parliamentary colleague, Coretta McDonald,” the AG said.
Nandlall further emphasized that these agencies, often referred to as the “fourth arm of government”, play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy constitutional machinery. However, when compromised or subjected to unjustifiable attacks, their functioning and impact can have pernicious consequences.
Nandlall acknowledged the challenges of attracting qualified individuals to serve on these impartial bodies in a small and divided population like Guyana. He cautioned that if responsible and highly capable individuals are deterred from accepting these crucial responsibilities due to baseless attacks, it would ultimately undermine the public good. Moreover, he highlighted the irony of Patterson’s clamour for transparency and accountability, given the pending cases implicating him in allegations of corruption and misconduct during his tenure as a government minister.
In conclusion, Nandlall called for collective action to protect the integrity and independence of constitutional agencies, stressing the importance of allowing them to operate autonomously and fulfill their constitutional obligations without unwarranted interference. He emphasized the significance of preserving the public good by shielding these institutions from unfounded attacks by politicians while ensuring that individuals involved in such criticisms address their own records appropriately.
