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by pltm
(PLTM) - The Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) has been operating without regulations since its inception. This was disclosed today, after a motion for the approval of the RDA’s Plan by the House of Assembly (HoA) was postponed due to the plan being incomplete.
Last Thursday, the plan was laid in the HoA by Premier and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith and was scheduled for consideration today, September 20. However, today, the Premier requested that the item be removed from the order paper, due to the plan being incomplete—specifically, the regulations that direct the RDA.
Upon inquiry by Opposition member and Third District Representative, Honourable Julian Fraser as to the cause of the postponement, the Premier responded, “There remains some issues to be resolved about the preparation of the plan itself and also the regulations governing the plans.”
“The regulations are being developed to help to make sure that everything goes according to the wishes of the House of Assembly in relation to the funding,” he stated.
He posited that it is important that those regulations be ready; however, it was those sentiments that led to the revelation that the RDA is operating without regulations--regulations which he said will be included in two weeks.
Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Andrew Fahie questioned why the agency is operating without regulations and whether they would halt operations until this is addressed. However, the Premier stated that is not necessary.
Meanwhile, Hon. Fraser lashed out at the Premier for bringing the incomplete document to the House, stating, “This has got to be a joke. I cannot accept it and I don’t think the public can either,” he scolded.
“How can you tell me that you brought a plan to this House of Assembly with a motion to approve it and not know that the regulations were necessary?” the Representative questioned.
He also pointed to his observation that the draft plan that was circulated to the public during the consultations was one that presented a cost figure of $721 million, while “this plan is a plan now for $518 million….$140 million difference.”
“If it is that the Premier is coming to the realisation that this whole Recovery and Development Agency is a farce and is wrong for the country, he needs to tell us that,” Hon. Fraser demanded.
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