Dear Editor,
Below is a copy of an email I sent to the Minister of Communities eight days ago, out of concern over the damage being done to the governance of Region 9 by allegations of misconduct on the part of its Regional Executive Officer. You will agree with me, Editor, that to keep silence on such matters of public interest would betray our shared sense of duty to the political and socio-economic development of our nation.
“Dear Ronald
“Facebook is a mixed blessing, but I think politicians can’t ignore it. I reproduce below an exchange I had today with one Nigel Dharamlall, on the subject covered in the Guyana Times story he references. You’ll see my opinion that you need to deal with these accusations urgently and demonstratively. For the sake of issue-based governance and the image of the Coalition, I am copying this to Rupert Roopnaraine and David Granger.
“You’ll judge how much David Patterson should be interested.
“Fraternally, G
“Sunday, March 20, 2016.
[…]
“GF: Can some competent Member of Parliament make use of his position in Parliament, on non-party issues like this? If you ask Bulkan that question directly, you’ll be helping him to see that the Coalition’s reputation needs protecting here in Lethem. Maybe you feel conflicted about this?
“ND: I have spoken to Bulkan about numerous complaints in Region 9 and his only retort is that he’s unaware on the many issues and he will check into it. Maybe as his bro-in-law can you help in anyway Gordon Forte?
“GF: Funny you should ask, I was just trying to find a way to share your post and my comment with my ex-brother-in-law and with other persons who share responsibility. You keep on bringing up valid non-party issues and I’ll do what I can to spread the genuine concern.
“ND: Well no one seems to get Bulkan to act as a non-partisan Minister of Government. So that’s why I asked you Gordon Forte. Bulkan tolerates it at the expense of good governance. This is […] unlike propaganda and hearsay … we all want a clean and incorruptible country but if […] excesses continue our country will continue to falter.
“GF: Why do you ask me? Ask it as a question in Parliament. Use whatever official position you have, for I have none […] I’ll be the first to help you lay it before the court of public opinion, for the sake of the lesson that can teach the coalition and benefit the community.
“GF: For a start, Nigel Dharamlall, msg me your email address and we’ll see what little I can start doing on this.
“GF: OK, Nigel Dharamlall, six hours and I don’t have your address to cc you an email I’m about to send. Thanks for starting this thread.”
End of message conversation.
End of email.
Eight days later, no response from anyone in the government. Nor any strong response on the Lethem Facebook page. Maybe we should be asking why, but meanwhile let’s see if you can help to spread the concern by publishing this now.
Yours faithfully,
Gordon Forte
