Guyana: IDPADA-G Urges Government to Comply with Court Ruling

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G) has formally requested that the executive administration demonstrate constitutional maturity by processing over $32 million in outstanding 2022 state subventions. This request follows a recent High Court ruling that mandated the release of these funds. The call was made during a press briefing on Tuesday morning by IDPADA-G Chairman Vincent Alexander.

This briefing comes after a three-year legal battle initiated by the state’s decision to freeze the organization’s funding in late 2022. Alexander described the ruling by Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, as a significant milestone for institutional fairness and the rule of law in Guyana. He cautioned that any failure by the state to comply with the court’s financial obligations could lead to legal enforcement actions by IDPADA-G’s legal team.

“We respectfully call upon the Government to demonstrate the same constitutional maturity that we have sought to uphold today by implementing the Court’s order promptly and fully,” Alexander stated. He emphasized that the organization is prepared to take further legal action if necessary.

The legal case, IDPADA-G v. The Attorney General and Others, began in August 2022 when the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport cut off the organization’s $8 million monthly allocation. The High Court ruled that the state acted improperly by terminating the funding without prior notice or a fair opportunity for IDPADA-G to respond.

The court ordered the state to calculate and disburse the remaining installments of approximately $32 million, as these funds had already been approved by the National Assembly in the 2022 fiscal budget. However, the judgment also noted that the court cannot mandate the state to reinstate future funding without a permanent contract.

Dr. Vivian Williams, a corporate attorney representing IDPADA-G, highlighted that the situation is about statutory compliance rather than political agreement. He stated, “Respect for the rule of law requires unconditional compliance unless these orders are formally stayed or varied by a superior court.”

Alexander pointed out that the prolonged litigation has affected local contractors and staff involved in the UN-backed diaspora initiative. By demanding the immediate release of the $32 million, IDPADA-G aims to settle outstanding debts and provide financial relief to grassroots communities impacted by the funding freeze.

Source: hgptv.com