Dear Editor,
I was extremely happy when the coalition was elected to govern our country. The euphoria continued for a while because I was seeing positive moves like the transformation of Georgetown through the ongoing clean-up and the energy of Minister Broomes especially. I saw betterment for every one of us in Guyana.
Then I started seeing some things which are extremely worrying because they were not being addressed as they ought to be. Perception is everything and the President needs to avoid conveying the impression that the best is not being done by him. This will avoid unwanted criticisms which can distract from more serious matters.
- In relation to the removal of Minister Broomes from the Ministry for Social Protection, I, and I am sure many others perceive the movement of this most energetic and conscientious minister as intended to appease the business people, especially the big foreign businesses that are exploiting Guyanese workers.
When the Minister visited these businesses, she exposed them for who they are and it was embarrassing them. Now she has been placed in the Natural Resources Ministry which has oversight of the mining industry, thereby creating another controversy. Regardless of how it is spun, Minister Broomes is in a clear position of conflict of interest, for her profession is mining and she has some mining interests. It would help the President’s image if he corrected this situation very early. My suggestion is that Minister Broomes should have a ministry of her own that would speak to her strengths. Put her solely in charge of Labour and Trafficking in persons. I know that it can be political ammunition for the opposition if the government backtracked on this issue, but it will enhance the President’s image and it would be the right thing to do.
He should just forget the politics and maybe, personalities, for there is a rumour that Minister Broomes and Minister Lawrence didn’t agree. If this is so, then once again the correct thing to do is to give Minister Broomes her own ministry.
- The use of the army intelligence corps to do surveillance on a civilian stinks to high heaven, and I am very disturbed that so much incompetence was revealed when this tragic affair that led to the unnecessary death of three persons was made public. The President is on record as saying that no investigation is necessary. I humbly beg to disagree. What I would say is that the intelligence corps must not be used to do the work of the police. It can cause disaffection and demoralize the police.
- The recent matter of the CEO (ag) of GPL not being disciplined or investigated when he allegedly inappropriately communicated with a bidder for the procurement of pre-paid meters deserves stringent action which will support the pledge made by President Granger to eradicate corruption. How can such a matter be just swept away as if nothing wrong was done? Perception is everything and I perceive that this person is being treated with kid gloves for some reason. A transparent investigation should be done, and if he is found to have transgressed the rules then he should be disciplined condignly. I am also perturbed that the issue of this person’s qualifications remains unresolved. Can we put this matter to rest by the subject minister being asked to instruct this person to make public his qualifications?
It must be done to satisfy myself and others who need to know that we have competent, qualified and experienced persons running our corporations and other agencies.
The President should please listen to the people and forget politics.
Yours faithfully,
John London
