Dear Editor,
Reference is made to “All pumps procured by the NDIA are based on specifications necessary to effectively support Guyana’s D&I needs” (Mar 7). Several pump stations are incomplete as reported some time by SN. Why? There is not much change in recent months. And there is not only many scandals involving purchase and installation of pumps and construction of pump stations but in other contracts as well. The situation is allegedly much worse than described and enumerated by the writer.
On constructing pump stations, the only pump station completed over the last three years has been on the West Coast and it was completed a year ago. It has not been commissioned because the powers that be don’t want to highlight the state of other pump stations that have been lagging behind. Contracts for pump stations and for other works were not given to those most qualified and with the lowest bids. Thus, pump stations are incomplete as your paper previously highlighted. In fact, in the last round of awards, contracts were given to companies without the technical competence to do the work, without a track record, and not having the lowest bids. This is gross injustice in the awarding of contracts. I know for sure where the votes of my family and those other affected contractors will go in the next election.
The Ministry of Agriculture is wasting resources; the money could be better used for subsidies to farmers to reduce food prices that have been skyrocketing. A measurement of success of the Ministry of Agriculture can best be assessed when comparing some prices of imports and local produce. Foreign foods are much cheaper than local products. When I went to Stabroek Market last Saturday, an imported apple was $150 for a large one and $100 for a small one. Compare that with local mangoes that were three for $1000. Imported tomatoes were $400 a pound while local tomato was $800. Ground provision was $350 a pound while imported potatoes was three pounds for $200. The same is true for other local produce that are much more expensive than imports.
Billions of dollars are going to the wrong place and for non-existent work rather than to farmers to produce more so as to lower prices. There is no vision in the Ministry to take the country forward. Money is being frittered away. Infrastructure work is poorly done or lagging. The Ministry is fueling fears of the dreaded Dutch disease. The President or VP must intervene in this sorry situation for the sake of the party, if not the country.
Sincerely,
Chandradat Sharma
