Dear Editor,
Dr Nanda Gopaul’s letter titled, “Those of us who worked closely with Dr. Jagdeo can testify to his integrity”, missed the point completely. The allegations made against VP Jagdeo by his tenant and friend Su Zhirong and documented by Vice Media, are not something that can be defended by testimonials of character and integrity from Dr. Gopaul. Mr. Jagdeo’s tenant and friend, Su Zhirong, says on tape that he is the middleman for Mr. Jagdeo. Any Chinese investor who wants to do business in Guyana, he says, must go to him and pay a “service fee”. The investor would then get a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Jagdeo – who will then set government machinery in motion, so that the investor will be able to acquire the assets/contract that he is seeking.
This is a very serious allegation. Su Zhirong was able to demonstrate his connection. He got the undercover investor Mr. Chan a meeting which took place in Mr. Jagdeo’s mansion. Now that’s not an ordinary thing. Its proof of Su Zhirong’s connection and his role as a middleman. President Ali is the constitutional president. He must assume the powers of his office. He must take command. He must define Mr. Jagdeo’s duties and supervise him – as he must for all other Ministers in the government. President Ali has no choice but to set up a COI to investigate the allegations made by Su Zhirong. Hopefully, Mr. Jagdeo will prove his innocence of the allegations.
Sincerely,
Mike Persaud
