Dear Editor,
After discussing recently the drama of NICIL, it struck me how much greed is perhaps our greatest danger; it is like a demon lurking in the corridors of power waiting to devour this country and its citizens as we enter soon our 46th year of Independence.
First, we heard the absurd assertion by both the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and the Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, Mr Winston Brassington, that it is a private company. This claim is supplemented by the propaganda gurus, such as those we heard on television Tuesday evening. Yes, NICIL was established during the PNC regime, so what? The presidential complex was built by the PNC, but does that mean that its use by the present President has a significance in relation to his behaviour, deeds and pronouncements? NICIL was then and still is a state entity. In other words, it is owned by the government on behalf of every citizen.
Could a private company take over the Luckhoo Swimming Pool and surrounding areas belonging to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, to build the Marriot Hotel but pay the council not one cent? The young set used to say, ‘Let’s be for real.’
Be that as it may, NICIL is headed by a gentleman, who unlike some we mix with at City Hall, has a credible cultural background, and therefore cannot be excused for not observing protocol. It is protocol which guides the affairs of the state. Mr Brassington is a public servant, so how dare he challenge a member of parliament, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan to a public debate? Protocol should direct him to ask the Minister of Finance (a member of parliament) to engage Mr Ramjattan. But, of course, this offers an interesting contretemps.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh is a member of the NICIL Board, so the board has to report to one of its own members. But this is Guyana – à la PPP.
The NICIL boss should begin by providing the people of Guyana via Parliament, with a complete list of lands, properties and other facilities, which belonged to the state that NICIL has disposed of. Let us use only one example; ignore the ‘sweet’ deals of Sanata Textiles, BIDCO properties et al, and just look at government shares in Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co. There was no tender, no notice – how was the sum arrived at? Where did this Chinese group come from? What is the connection? Was the local business community asked to bid or offered these lucrative shares by NICIL?
This is very sad; not one squeak from these big business tigers in Guyana, or are they no more than spineless pussy cats? Or a shameless bunch of opportunists?
I await the truth being told to the ordinary people.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green JP
