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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Sunday December 29, 2013
Kaieteur M@ilbox
The USAID Project: Is the govt. getting a dose of its own medicine? DEAR EDITOR, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon’s recent letter published in KN dated 12/28/ 2013 and captioned “A most disrespectful United States Govt” reflects the kinds of sentiments Guyanese feel
when Luncheon’s PPP/C government abuses its power. In his letter, Luncheon suggests that the U.S Ambassador, and in fact the U.S government, did not consult with the Guyana government on the controversial USAID project.
According to Luncheon, the government of Guyana was approached after the US authorities would have already decided on the organization to execute the project. Luncheon and the PPP/C government claim that this action is disrespectful to
BARGAINING AWAY... From page 4 corrupt but his continues to do whatever he wants with the country’s resources as if it was given to him by his parents. May be, it was given to him by his uncle-in-law president, who also believes that Guyana belongs to them. Where did these gangsters originated from. We do not know of any Guyanese who is as greedy, selfish, corrupt, scampish and crooked as this bunch. They want the whole country for themselves. This PPP cabal has abandoned all fidelity to best practices and good governance and has indulged in cunning games and blatant corrupt practices aimed at exploiting public trust and fattening their pockets with the state funds and resources. Whenever cracks about these ill-conceived projects become public, their instinct is constant denials, cover-ups and barefaced lies. They are hell bent on deceiving the people and protecting themselves. But even their supporters have become wary of their lies, propaganda, distortions and
corrupt practices. Good leaders are constantly faced with challenges regarding the types of decisions they have made and have to make. Strong leaders develop and give primacy to following their missions, goals and core values-nurturing cultures and live by the codes of good behavior and good governance. Weak leaders like the current one in Guyana treat them as documents to be cited in press releases; meaningless in practice, but useful as propaganda and distortion exercises. We want our brothers and sisters in Guyana to know that as head of the government, our current leader has not done anything to protect their interest when something as fundamental as public trust has been patently breached? He has not fired or even disciplined the rogue elements in his minority regime who have and continue to hijack and ignored government policies and regulations and use the state resources to fatten their pockets and those of their relatives and friends.
As a weak leader, he continues to lurk in the shadows of his predecessor and allow the loudmouths and bullies within the regime to dictate to him the course of action or inaction. Sadly but true, our leader has chosen the cover-up route, because for the past two years, he has refused to believe that corruption even exists on a large scale basis and that there are kleptocrats in his regime. He has refused to admit that infractions and gross misconduct are occurring almost daily in his administration by the cabal. He has not and will never accept the truth about corruption as a feasible way forward because his primary concern is the protection of his ministers and his party and not the protection of the interest of the people. We now call on the combined majority opposition to stand with the people and mobilize them to take massive action against this bunch of thieves and force this corrupt and uncaring regime to rescind all secret deals. Guyana is badly wounded and is bleeding profusely and the opposition must use their power to its maximum to stop the bleeding before the country is bled to death. For those in the regime who shower praise on the late Nelson Mandela and not take up his mantle and follow in his footsteps is phony. Now is the time for the opposition to act on behalf of the majority of people who elected them. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh.
the Guyana government. After reading Luncheon’s letter, if true, I can only describe the situation as one where the PPP/C seems to be getting a dose of its own medicine. I do not wish to address the issue of whether Luncheon is telling the truth or whether the US authorities indeed sidelined the Guyana government, since my focus is to point out to the PPP/C that for the past two decades Guyanese have been treated with similar or worse kinds of disdain by this PPP/C government. We have been disrespected time and time again and the PPP/C and Luncheon have barefacedly thrust the now “vex word” consultation in our face as a façade to appease the very international community, including the US government, in order to garner support for their repressive actions. Shortly after the 2011 elections we were told by the minority PPP/C government that the Ramotar government will ‘consult’ with the opposition on the 2012 budget; where was the consultation? In 2013, consultation was again touted, but again the PPP/C bluffed the people. So the Budget was again chopped up. I recall that we were also told that the PPP/C government will consult with
the opposition on drafting the Anti-Money Laundering Bill; where is the consultation? The bill remains in jeopardy. Where is the consultation to revive the ailing sugar industry? What is the status of the promised consultation and review of the draconian 16% VAT Ramotar promised on the 2011 campaign trail? Did Ramotar, Luncheon and the minority PPP/C government consult with the Leader of the Majority Opposition when they chartered a flight and headed to South Africa? They took a PPP/C delegation to represent Guyana at the memorial of the renowned world leader, Nelson Mandela. Doesn’t Luncheon think that this is disrespectful to the people of Guyana? Editor, I can go on and on to show how this government has continuously disrespected the Guyanese people. I have written extensively on this issue and have pointed out many instances where Luncheon and the PPP/C would have blatantly disrespected the people. Only a few weeks ago the Minister of Local Government insulted the intelligence of members of Georgetown City Council, the people of Georgetown and the entire Guyanese community when he announced that Carol Sooba, an unqualified
person should function as the substantive town clerk even though the council voted to appoint a most suitably qualified individual. In fact, the PPP/C is sending messages to our young people that seem to suggest that meritocracy may have no place in PPP/C led government. If this is not disrespect, tell me what is? Let me state that I strongly believe in the sovereignty of nations, but I am equally mindful and suspicious of those repressive regimes which are ready to mobilize citizens’ support, in the name of protecting state sovereignty, in order to perpetuate their despotic policies. I caution all of us to pay attention to this USAID debacle in order to make informed decisions about the way forward. I am confused that the PPP/C government, which uses the word “democracy” as a buzz word, would want to shut down a project which is likely to enhance and promote democratic values in the Guyana. Something smells fishy, or as Luncheon would say “disrespectful!” Since the PPP/C government now appears to understand how it feels to be disrespected, will it be more respectful to the Guyanese people? Only time will tell! Lurlene Nestor
The PPP continues its... From page 5 C treatment of the Capital is concerned, as I move around the City talking to residents even in the midst of their woes of mosquitoes, garbage and flooding, they all state it is the fault or misdeeds of the government. In other words, the PPP is not fooling the people. Second, when a Minister can state that they are allocating $56M for the restoration of the City, the average citizen feels insulted,
more so, when they are reminded that it is the kind of money this Government has expended for a pump Station at Stanleytown, but only a fraction of the excess of $US 320 M, they set out to pay for the Amalia Falls Project. The billions paid to the NGPC up front for drugs alleged to be supplied. The NICIL sweet deals – in all this you offer a meanly sum for the rehabilitation of Georgetown. In any case, with the appointed Town Clerk we
are certain that the money will be expended by the Minister and his Town Clerk. History will be a harsh judge. We now hear that the government will clean up the City. This of course is always helpful; however, this is no more than a bandaid on a festering sore. The Government must instruct the Town Clerk to carry out the decisions of the Mayor and Councillors and reengage the two solid waste contractors she dismissed in defiance of Council’s recommendation. There is a new garbage pile up at the corner of Church and Waterloo Street and the empty lot to the south and another heap nearby. All these may be removed in the so called government clean up. But unless there is a holistic approach and a sustained programme after a few hours or days the City will again be littered. Hamilton Green, J.P.