The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) must work in a self-activating or proactive mode and prosecute those responsible for the misuse of public funds which is essentially taxpayers’ money.This is according to Leader of the Alliance for Change, Raphael Trotman, who yesterday said that for too long there have been clear violations of the law, such as in the case with the annual Auditor General’s report, but the DPP office awaits directives.According to Trotman, the DPP must be independent of the state and be able to investigate breaches of the law wherever it occurs and prosecute.The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of Guyana states, “A Minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public monies.”Section 49 of that Act also states, (1) If a loss of public monies should occur and, at the time of that loss, a Minister or official has caused or contributed to that loss through misconduct or through deliberate or serious disregard of reasonable standards of care, that Minister or official shall be personally liable to the Government for the amount of the loss.(2) Where the misconduct or disregard of the person is not the sole cause of the loss referred to in subsection (1), the person shall be liable to pay only so much of the loss as is just and equitable having regard to the person’s share of the responsibility for the loss.(3) If a loss of public moneys should occur and, at the time of that loss, a Minister or official had nominal custody of such moneys,Supply Cheapest Soccer Jerseys, that Minister or official shall be personally liable to the Government for the amount of the loss.According to Trotman, where there is a breach of the law the DPP should prosecute.He also stated that he is happy to see that the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party has “awakened” and, “if he is prepared to go after all criminals then we will support him.”The Auditor General of Guyana’s most recent report points out that problems highlighted in previous reports, have recurred in the latest edition that was presented in the National Assembly.The reports are frequently used by the opposition to accuse the government of massive corruption.
