Dear Editor,
I refer to the response titled ‘The topic of scarcity of resources was not broached by GWI’ (SN, Sept 21). Permit me to make the following comments.
I started out dissatisfied with GWI. Now I am angry with GWI, and specifically with Mr Joseph, Sanitation Manager, and Mr Austin, PRO. I am very angry at what I consider not only erroneous statements, but outright falsehoods. Let me start with the facts.
Fact 1: At no time, repeat at no time, did I seek compensation from the GWI. No conversation, no person, no time. Somebody is fantasising here. For whatever it is worth, the records will show that I do not take, do not request, do not demand, and do not seek money ever from my fellow countrymen, and especially from government related enterprises. The people who associate with me, including adversaries, can attest to this. To give an idea, garbage removal and drainage clearing is paid for out of my pocket without a thought of compensation. Just get the job done, so citizens can live at a minimum standard. By the way, the GWI officials with whom I spoke on the first issue were Miss Marina at 08:20 on Tuesday, August 19 (via Call Centre hotline to report the matter); then, Miss Gurudat (Executive Secretariat) four days later at 08:05 on Friday, August 22; followed by Ms Benjamin (PR Department at 11:05 on the same day); and Mr Joseph (Sanitation Department) at approximately 15:00 that same Friday. I now publicly challenge each and every one of them to step forward and state how and what was demanded re compensation. I submit that anyone – repeat anyone – who makes such a claim is untruthful.
Fact 2: Mr Joseph’s team was dispatched on day 4 after I had advised the hotline people that the matter was fixed, and there was no need for a visit. I did say that a call would be appreciated to understand what went wrong.
Fact 3: During the conversation with Mr Joseph (initiated by me during the afternoon of Day 4), he did state that a) the workload was overwhelming, and b) there is only so much manpower, that it was limited. I am using the phrase “scarce resources” in the place of “so much manpower.” The public can determine who is splitting hairs here. Again, I ask Mr Joseph to state when was compensation demanded.
Fact 4: I called Mr Austin on Wednesday last at 17:04 on the second issue; the conversation was less than sixty seconds. Mr Austin informed me that he “had to go to a meeting.” All I said was that I was dissatisfied; no more. He took my number and promised to return a call. The phone did not ring again that evening. There is no record of any calls from Mr Austin at any time since my call, and there is an answering machine. It could be memory lapse, technical difficulties, or more of the inaccuracies (saying it kindly) embedded in his letter to SN.
Fact 5: The last conversation I had with anyone at GWI on the first issue was with Mr Austin, I challenge him here and now, and publicly, to stand up and say that the word compensation came up in that conversation; that any overtures were made, directly or otherwise, for payment.
Editor, this letter from Mr Austin rankles. I had two problems; I fixed them myself. Right now I have had a credit balance with the GWI for almost a year. It is how I do business. So to say that I am looking for money and that that was rejected is dangerously misleading and insulting. As for having other agenda(s), I regret that a man of the calibre of Timothy Austin saw it fit to degenerate to this deplorable depth. Given that I am acquainted with some of the people from his personal context I am surprised and dismayed. As far as I am concerned, this conversation is closed.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
