Dear Editor,
I learned from the media that Dr. Veersammy Ramayya did the unheard of in Guyana -he resigned from a senior public service role for the second time. It is not a regular position, but one that is much coveted because of all that can be made to happen for self, through using the reach and scope of what the job covers. As I think of this second resignation, I asked myself whether this Guyanese is an impulsive man, or a professional resign(er), or an honest and honourable servant of this country. Considering the circumstances, I would have to say that he has taken a principled position not just once, but twice.
There is no spoken or any other relationship with Dr. Ramayya. All I know of him, that he existed, has come from media reports. Nothing else. Having shared that, when I peer below the surface of those reports, a few things register clearly. Dr. Ramayya first resigned early in his tenure as Regional Executive Officer of Region Six due to his awareness of corruption. The fact that he did so quickly emphasizes a few things to me. This was way before the return of the PPP to power. Thus, he didn’t jump ship to continue his ambitions, whatever those were/are. Second, he could have kept silent, joined the gravy train, like everybody else, and everybody would be happy. But he chose to rock the boat and left before he got ensnared (or setup). I compare what Dr. Ramayya did back then to what he has done again today, viz., resign again over corruption realities again in Region Six.
As a brief aside, it seems that the boys and girls in Region Six have their own year-round carnivals going on over there. All things being equal, the PPP Government still has three years to go, so he could have stayed still, nobody would be wiser or upset, and all would be well. Having parted company with the PNC before, the prospects don’t look too welcoming in that quarter. And now making a huff and puff about corruption in Region Six does one thing and one thing only. It transforms him into a marked man. That is, not one of us; not to be relied upon; never to trust again. Editor, whoever and whatever he may be, this is what Dr. Ramayya is giving up, where he condemns himself. He already feels some flak.
In his words, Dr. Ramayya is reported to say that President Ali doesn’t care too much that he (Ramayya) is sharing all these ‘negative’ things about the PPP Government, and it is not true. My thinking is that His Excellency has the opportunity to look into matters honestly so that corrupt practices are eased, and that a house cleaning occurs in Region Six. Unfortunately, the President, being the character that he is, appears to be more focused on damage control (minimizing exposure) rather than pursuing the revelations to see where they lead and to whom, and to what degree. Moreover, this is history repeating itself in how Guyana’s leader reacts when his own people come under the microscope.
When President Ali has openings to make good on vows of transparency and accountability, he does the opposite. He digs his heels in and works feverishly to get others to go along with his program of presenting a pure and noble picture of his governance standard when it is really a dark and dirty and damning one. Instead of seeking out and removing corrupters, the President first priority seems to be dedicated to suppressing reality. He calls people like me ‘naysayers’ and similar such labels, which is the first sign that the fix is in, and cover-up is in full swing. I wonder what he will do about Dr. Ramayya’s inconvenient, disturbing exposé, meaning, engage in more peacekeeping, and let sleeping dogs lie. In other words, give more room to opportunists in Guyana’s public service arena to carry on, as always.
I believe that Guyana owes Dr. Ramayya a word of thanks for his consistency, likely integrity, and his devotion to clean duty by representing responsibility given the right way. Regarding what President Ali plans to do, that is set, sealed, and done. Nothing. Mark my words.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall