By Abena RockcliffeWhile the Alliance for Change (AFC) awaits green light from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) on the Amaila Falls Project鈥攖he due diligence report鈥?efore giving support to the project; the government is saying that parliamentary unanimity will influence the IDB鈥檚 decision.The Amaila Falls project is the largest financial one ever undertaken in the history of Guyana, costing some US$840M.A Chinese bank and the IDB are on board on this one; the government is desperately lobbying for the Opposition to come on board as well.Downstream elevation view of the proposed Amaila Falls Hydro Project.According to the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, the support of parliament will influence international support. He said that he worries that lack of local support will hinder the progress of the Project.The Opposition is holding the nation to ransom for unconnected political gains, said Dr. Singh yesterday at a press conference.His contention was made known as he responded to a question on whether the government is willing to implement the Public Procurement Commission and have the President assent to the two rejected Bills in exchange for the Opposition鈥檚 support for two critical pieces of legislation directly linked to the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.The Minister, who reiterated the urgent need for unanimous support in parliament for a Motion to increase the debt ceiling and Amendments to the Hydro Electric Act, said that he finds it alarming that the opposition sees nothing wrong with the horse trading.Singh said 鈥?t is like they are holding the nation to ransom; that is to say, unless you give in to our demands, we are prepared to undermine and oppose development in this country even though the project will benefit all Guyanese including our own supporters.鈥漈he Minister went on to state that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the AFC should be treating the project based on its merit as opposed to seeking to extract other political concessions from government.He asked how members of the joint parliamentary opposition can 鈥?ook at the Guyanese with a straight face and say, 鈥榳e undermine this project because we weren鈥檛 able to get what we wanted politically on an unconnected matter.鈥?e added that just to have its own way, the opposition is taking an anti-national position.The Minister opined that any responsible stakeholder committed to the cause of improving quality of life in Guyana, will throw full support behind both pieces of legislation scheduled to be debated in parliament on Thursday.Singh stated, 鈥淲e are asking international partners to support this project, we cannot therefore be ambivalent about the signal we send to them.鈥?e said that in asking for international support, the least one can do is to demonstrate support within one鈥檚 jurisdiction.The AFC needs to put their vote where their mouth is he pointed out that while the party has publicly stated their support for the project, they refuse to vote on it in parliament,Wholesale MLB Jerseys, until the International community approves the project.鈥淭hey (the AFC) have said in Parliament that they are supportive of Amaila but they said they will not vote for the Amaila Falls project until the IDB approves it. Now let鈥檚 be serious here, we鈥朾e dealing with International Financial Institutions, who will look to the national parliament and the national stakeholder community and they will say, why on earth should we聽聽– the international community support such a project that you 鈥? domestic Guyanese stakeholders are not prepared to come out and support unequivocally?鈥?e continued, 鈥淪o it is really difficult to comprehend the position taken by the AFC, who on the one hand recognizes that the Guyanese people want the Amaila Falls project to happen urgently, and so they clearly would like to be associated with the project. They鈥朾e making public pronouncements that they are in favour of Amaila,NFL Jerseys Shop, but yet,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys Authentic, they are not putting their vote where their mouth is.鈥滻n a press release recently, the Minister stated that critical deadlines are looming and expiration dates on certain commitments expire this year,Stitched Jerseys, as it relates to the project.Singh said yesterday that more than a year ago, the President invited the Opposition to a meeting where details were given on the project through a technical presentation.He said that Members were also given documents to study and the President had informed that his administration was open to answering any questions.He said, too, that an update was given this year and the same invitation was extended.People鈥檚 Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive Secretary,Discount Nike NFL Jerseys, Zulficar Mustapha,