Dear Editor,
During the PNC era, there were many allegations of corruption which were steadily pursued by the then opposition, the PPP led by the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.
When the PPP took office most of us were confident that issues that were impeding the development of our country, particularly corruption, would have been dealt with in the most serious manner. To his credit Dr Jagan did try, but unfortunately he died in 1997, about five years after taking office. His wife who stood by his side during those many hard years was given the opportunity to govern, however because age caught up with her. Her health did not permit her to stay in control. The leadership was selectively given to someone who was touted as a young and dynamic leader – Bharrat Jagdeo.
We were confident that since Mr Jagdeo had been schooled under the leadership of such a noble and humble person as Dr Jagan, honesty and seriousness would have prevailed in Guyana. But we have been proven wrong.
During Dr Jagan’s presidency it was found out that the then Finance Minister Asgar Ally had placed his son at the World Bank as Guyana’s representative without the cabinet’s approval. Before the story got into the public domain, Dr Jagan requested Mr Ally’s resignation as Finance Minister. He complied and went his way.
Within the last ten years, we have seen with our own eyes blatant corruption. These acts are well known to the leadership of the PPP; many of the persons now in the leadership of the party were schooled by and were close to the late Dr Jagan. Only recently Mr Ralph Ramkarran wrote about corruption in the government.
One would have thought that on Donald Ramotar becoming president things would have drastically changed, and a Jagan-style approach to leadership would have been reintroduced because of his groundings, but it seems that things are even worse. In dealing with corruption, the administration displays favouritism and has selective ways in dealing with issues that are as serious as this.
Yours faithfully,
Ramdeen Singh
