Dear Editor,
Accountability is the foundation of responsible government. The Guyana Parliament on behalf of Guyanese people must have the capacity to hold ministers accountable for their behaviour and conduct as representatives of the people. There must be a process that will employ consequences to those ministers and MPs who display deplorable conduct. If there is none now, then a Code of Conduct should be implemented forthwith. Can integrity and accountability ever become a common element in the delivery of public service under this current government? I think not. The people of Guyana deserve better.
This current situation involving Kellawan Lall, the Minister of Local Government is of great embarrassment to all of us. I am concerned that Attorney-At-Law Vic Puran seems to be justifying why Lall should not be brought before the courts for discharging a firearm in public. The fact that the minister fired shots in the air and not at the complainant is irrelevant. Where I live that is considered threatening behaviour (and I suspect the laws are the same in Guyana) and you can go to jail for displaying such lawless behaviour. Is there a culture of one rule for the powerful and another for the rest of Guyanese?
Judging from Minister Lall’s conduct and the comments from Head of the President Secretariat, Roger Luncheon, the Guyana Government is not providing assurance to the public that it is capable of promoting a culture of respect among those in authority. It seems government officials can abuse their authority and public resources without consequences.
According to the Stabroek News editorial, the matter was reportedly settled with Minister Lall and Joseph Doodnauth although the two parties have not met face to face since the incident and event though there is “a deep wound on his forehead.” The impact of this kind of private settlement extends way beyond Mr Doodnauth. It encourages human rights abuses, the lack of confidence in the Guyana judicial system, government and business corruption.
A settlement between the two parties should not be used as a reason to end the criminal legal proceedings against Minister Lall. It is the duty of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to see that Minister Lall is put before the court.
The Guyana Government must take immediate steps to ensure that allegations of wrong doings by ministers be investigated immediately, fully and impartially. Perhaps an independent review committee should be created to receive and investigate allegations of abuse, corruption and or any misconduct by a public official.
Yours faithfully,
Maxine Davidson,
Toronto
