May 19, 2006

RALPH VOLCERE’S WEEK

MICHEL PROMISED ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPEN GOVERNMENT

(He must now lead by example and come clean on behalf of his Government!)

The population’s appetite for information is growing by the day especially now that the presidential election due for the end of July 2006 is approaching. The SPPF through its mouthpiece, ‘The People’, has in its issues of the last three weeks been making claims that first President James Mancham, the man they betrayed once before and stole power from, has received money from this Government to the tune of 28 million rupees thus far as some sort of compensation. It is not very clear if money was ever really given and if it was what it was for. However, there is now a thirst amongst the electorate for further details of the transaction if it ever took place to be made public. Mr. Michel owes it to the voting public to disclose all information relating to the claims being made by his party through their newspaper.

The Government of the day in the person of President Michel is under strict obligation, bound by his own words and law to be accountable before its citizens in all its financial dealings. If any money has changed hands between this Government and Mancham or any other individual it has to be lawful; anything other than that, constitutes a misappropriation of government funds, warranting an open investigation. In the event of any wrong doing someone needs to be held accountable. Michel must now come clean and inform us further on that particular matter. When exactly was that money given? Who approved payments? What was it for? If he did, in which budget did the 28 million rupees Mancham received came from? And above all who signed the cheque for the 28 million? Mr. Michel as the Minister for Finance is totally responsible and must have this info at his finger tips.

In calling for a change in the people that has been running this country for the last twenty-nine years, we are not merely looking for fresh faces in high political office; in fact the need is far greater than just replacing a president and some ministers. The people are looking for a complete change in attitude and mentality in the way that the country will be governed by the new leaders. The SPPF we know has been ruling outside the realm of reality and beyond what is lawfully acceptable. An abrupt end to this kind of rule is required if this country is to progress further.

Mr. Mancham, apart from attaining high political office is a citizen like any other. I am sure it is a reality he is in total agreement with. Therefore, Mr. Mancham is only entitled to what is legally his and acceptable under the law as compensation for the property(s) his family lost through compulsory acquisition plus his constitutional entitlement as an ex-president, just like Mr. Rene. If anything else is given under the table to Mr. Mancham or Mr. Rene it would be regarded as dubious and unlawful gains.

James Michel must come out and account for the 28 million rupees his government is now claiming to have given to former president Mancham. If he does not it will be looked upon as another lie in castigating political opponents - the electorate will have to take him on his words and judge him by his actions, that of his party and newspaper. Is Jj built on lies and false political propaganda?