Dear Editor,
I will continue to give President Irfaan Ali generous time to supply evidence that his fore day morning ‘feral blast’ was an authentic exercise in leadership. Meanwhile, SN’s editorial of Tuesday, November 19, exactly a week later, titled “President Ali’s fore day morning summons” noted something. There is a pervasive level of cynicism blanketing this land and its living. Often, I wonder if the dead is not of the same critical, unpardoning, disposition. Still, I give President Ali the benefit of wanting to do something. My question, concern, revolves around one word: what? Then how, sir?
It is now an established fact in Guyana that political blood is thicker than biological blood. My interpretation and conclusions about the presidential plaster of the day, already should be coming into clearer focus. There now stands an irrefutable and irreversible culture in Guyanese politics. Political loyalty, political relationships, political intimacies, and political contributions ace everything else. Family and country included. I contend that politics feature comprehensively, incomparably, and prominently in the awards of contracts. Hence, it is reasonable to assert that over 90% of those present before the president last Tuesday are known characters, i.e., familiar folks. I would persist that as much as 99% of the attendees have some linkage to the party and its movers and shakers. That cannot be beaten in tender circumstances, procurement probes. For the doubtful, there is this question for them to ponder: how else and to whom else are contracts for public works projects won? The complaints that received ventilation speak tellingly, while it is anyone’s guess about the number who did not lodge a complaint for fear of blacklisting. From that context, and after the president’s verbal fisticuffs, what consequence, therefore? Whither penalty in the event of further delays, the same incompetence and inefficiencies, considering who were and are the objects of Dr. Ali’s dawn diatribe? Why not severe consequences before then, or then and there? The deterrent effect might have been worth the action.
Along the same lines, Guyanese have seen the public slaps on the wrist of
ministers (one comes to mind), a permanent secretary (another solo presence), who were treated to the PPP’s system of justice and correction, and only due to the force of circumstances. So then, what was last Tuesday about, and to where? The president was skillful enough to limit his last Tuesday’s tirade to tardiness in delivery only. Imagine if he had dipped his toe into corruption murk and muck. Given the cost to maintain that monster, no Guyanese should take their eyes from that cancer, or pretend that if it exists, it is negligible. But if the president was unwise enough (he wasn’t and wouldn’t) to venture into the corruption swamp, chances are that he would have to hold that meeting at the National Park or the National Stadium at Providence. The political kith and kin that would have had to be summoned would be that big, that overflowing.
Further, the SN editorial referenced rightly mentioned the cynicism that cloaks like a second skin. Guyanese are also jaded. They have heard so often about “zero tolerance” relative to time extensions, cost overruns, and failed works that they cannot tolerate more of those same verbal farces. I think it was the same Excellency Ali himself who said earlier in his reign that ‘some people think we are not serious…’ And, on that occasion, or another instance, he blazed with righteous indignation: there will be consequences.’ All those people are still on the job, all those contractors falling down on the job are still around and getting new contracts for the old job or new jobs. It is a new era, but with a new leadership practice developing steam. There is the exhibition of concern. There is the call for responsible state agencies to do their part. Somebody is a joker, or making Guyanese the butts of his or her jests. Give ineligible people who happen to be incompetent, then what? What follows, but what does? What is to be expected, but the norm? Tender people, evaluator people, contractor people all know who shouldn’t get awards. Yet they do. The president’s early morning seek-and-salvage mission could be confirmation that he is late in the knowledge department about what is going on in contractor land. Or that he is the last to admit to the reality that hangs all around him, haunts his government, and hurts his leadership credentials. Finally, if I could extend the courtesy of 100 days grace to US President (elect) Donald J. Trump, then the same is also due to Guyana’s President Mohamed I. Ali. Perform and prove.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall