GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

President Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a strong warning to members of parliament (MPs) in Guyana that they must declare their assets or face the legal consequences.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, the president noted that the law requires that MPs declare statements of income and assets to the Integrity Commission.

The president is scheduled to meet with members of the Commission today and said he would advise the body to publish within two weeks, the names of defaulting MPs who have not made the required submissions.

"They have two weeks to fulfil the law or we will have to take steps," warned Jagdeo.

Names to be made public

He also made it clear that action will take place across-the-board, stating that the names of the delinquent MPs would be made public, regardless of whether they are members of the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic, the opposition People's National Congress Reform or the Alliance for Change.

"Whether they are PPP members, or PNC members or AFC members, we are going to publish the names of all of the people who have defaulted on the law and I am going to request the police to charge them in accordance with the Act," Jagdeo declared.

The president's declaration comes in the wake of calls from opposition parties for government officials to be audited by the auditor general.

Jagdeo said the Integrity Commission had already been mandated to carry out the review.

Whether they are PPP members, or PNC members or AFC members, we are going to publish the names of all of the people who have defaulted on the law ... - Jagdeo