Dear Editor,
Thanks for the delicately crafted editorial titled `Dr. Misir’s four months’ (SN, March 11). For diplomacy, it is a song; for deference to Dr. Misir’s possibly sensitive construction, it is considerate. I note a couple of points, which caused alarm before, and should raise eyebrows about where this country is.
First, it seems that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources is now the designated super substitute. To cut a properly fine point on matters, Mr. Joslyn McKenzie is spread alarmingly thin. He is now the Guyanese man for all crises, a senior PPP Government man Friday, convenient handyman, and man about government offices and matters, when a certain kind of presence is needed. One in which there is every confidence that a way would be found (by whatever means necessary) out of any crabhole, any doghouse, any snake pit. Having had the special gift of familiarity with PS McKenzie’s mode of operations for several years, I would say that the PPP Government is in good hands.
Regarding the best interests of the Guyanese people, in the deliberation of their troublesome affairs, I am going to have to consult with my conscience and report back, with hopefully some less sharply negative thoughts and conclusions. As a testimony to PS McKenzie’s proven and reliable resourcefulness, the SN reported noted that, when the issue was inquired of, he said something along the lines that the EITI National Coordinator’s office was ‘vacant.’ The question for a limited chap like me is: vacant of what? A physical presence? Human leadership? Of ideas? In the here and now or forever? Or until the wait is over for a surrogate trusted enough to fill the breach, of a supposedly ‘vacant’ office? It speaks well of the PS for vacant was the right word, given the equally mystifying sudden reappearance of the good soldier, Dr. Misir. As Guyanese would say without ‘leave or license’.
Editor, it is developments like these in this lovely country that make me want to follow in Dr. Misir’s adventurous footsteps, and take my own leave for parts unknown. For his part, Dr. Misir had good reason to take off to wherever he went, when he was rejected in that slick one he put before the many-headed stakeholder group. It was to approve retroactively the Terms of Reference for the EITI 2020 report. Retroactively and without the benefit of the close scrutiny that is necessary in matters of this seriousness? This is beyond belief, but which now explains the salvaging action and soothing presence of PS McKenzie. The PPP Government, and its clever thinkers, could not have picked a senior civil servant that is better equipped, and more agile on his feet in circumstances such as these.
What has become obvious in what SN called a “brouhaha” is that Guyana is nothing but a la, la land. How many other disappearances of official people (possibly papers) are there, but at less high-profile positions? How many instances of this kind of “retroactive” approval, with little to no review of substance, have been happening here? Looking back in efforts at pretending to follow the rules robustly, and bridging gaps, when there is an absence of such element(s)? Last, has the rubberstamp of retroactive approvals, possibly with blindfolds in place, now become the norm?
I don’t think that any Guyanese is so foolish to expect any responses from Dr. Misir, since he has a lot of catching up to do. Thus, I conclude that SN forlorn hope about “clearing the air” will only result in more smog. Of course, there is always PS McKenzie to run to the rescue, and do exactly that: clear the air with more air. As to what kind of air, Guyanese are better off not knowing.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
