Dear Editor,
Many commentators, particularly those defenders of this APNU+AFC regime, when referring to the APNU+AFC government and their actions, speak about a new beginning.
However this is not a new beginning, but more of a throwback to the past. The PNC’s old habits, when they previously ran the country like it was their personal property, is back in full force.
This regime is demonstrating a level of vindictiveness, racism and even though it is early in the life of a new government, has already displayed signs of corruption.
The regime has already shown its racial bias in its policy of dismissals and in hiring of persons to work in government ministries/agencies.
Like in the past PNC days, the ‘jobs for the boys’ syndrome has once more raised its ugly head. The number of contract employees has been substantially increased; with a salary double that of the previous contracted workers.
The regime is clearly intent on enriching themselves at taxpayers’ expense. They have not only expanded the amount of ministers by fifty percent, but increased their own salaries by the same amount.
Cheddi Jagan, describing the class character of the PNC regime, said it was a “Bureaucratic Capitalist Elite.”
This is where the high level personnel of the government used the state apparatus to enrich themselves. Not classical capitalist, but a special type where they use the state as their own private property.
This practice has once again returned with a vengeance.
Contracts are being given out without tenders, new companies are being formed mainly by known members and supporters of the regime and are being awarded contracts. Many of these “new kids on the bloc” are getting contracts and sub-contracting to the established contractors.
The vindictiveness is also pronounced.
The forensic audits have not produced any evidence of substance; indeed their audits are proving that corruption was not a problem; therefore, the regime has been resorting to distortions to besmirch the characters of professionals who have made great contributions to this country, but the regime wants to fire.
Some CEOs, who are targets for dismissal, are not being interviewed by the auditors, nor are they given the audit reports to respond to. Instead, they see leaked reports in the press where their character/s is being questioned.
This has happened in the case of Guyoil, where Mr Badrie Persaud was never interviewed nor given a copy of the report for his response.
The same may be true of the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Energy Authority, where the CEOs are being attacked in the press. It appears the regime is preparing to fire them.
In passing, it should be noted that the preferred auditor in the cases where they are attacking the CEOs is Nigel Hinds and Company. His audits seem mainly designed to besmirch the character of professionals. That is why he is not intervening nor seeking responses to his audits.
In cases where a response was requested, it was not made public and ignored by those persons leaking the contents of the reports to the media.
This is the case of Winston Brassington, whose response was not “leaked” as regards the audit report of NICIL.
Brassington has since left Guyana. That is what it seems that this regime wants to do with Indo-Guyanese professionals and those non-Indians who have shown independence and professionalism and are not PNC/APNU stooges.
Clearly, this is not a new beginning. It is a throwback to the worst period in our history.
A new PNC type dictatorship is looming. The contours are there for all to see.
Yours faithfully,
Donald Ramotar
