Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Public Works recently reviewed the work being done on the never-ending project of the CJIA. The Minister’s review of the report that was televised focused on the financial aspects and timing of the project. It would have been beneficial to also have a review of the building inspectors report on the work done thus far. One of the columns appears to be off centre. This may impact the stability of the structure due to an uneven load distribution if this problem is found in multiple locations. In addition, the stresses in the structure can be impacted. The structural engineering team may have already reviewed this and may have found the structure within the tolerances allowed.
However, this is the government that has built a bridge that washed away, roads that have no steel in the substructure, electric poles that easily topple; and they are allowing Exxon to pump oil above the recommended safety limits. Speed appears to be everything at the moment. Safety is important, but not necessary? Anything is possible in such haste, but appearing to make substantial progress is the mantra of the day. The best thing to do is to check. Handing out money and building quickly to show progress even though it is not being done properly is nothing more than an attempt to fool the public into thinking that transformational progress is being made. When in reality funds are being wasted and things are not being done properly. Any government is capable of poor workmanship, wasteful spending and monetary handouts to buy the vote. After all there is no need to renegotiate the Exxon contract nor hold a referendum on it to hear the will of the people. Keep the masses happy with just enough money in their pockets to keep them quiet, and show them something that looks good to make a good enough impression while being able to redo the work over and over again to reap the profits. This is an old political game that many play around the world. It usually leads to the return of an impoverished nation with few people being rich and the majority being poor. The gap between the rich and the poor also widens when this corrupt game is allowed to continue. How does a public servant become a millionaire in USD in Guyana and face a ludicrous number of charges? There has to be extensive corruption for this to happen!
If we can afford to lay a pipeline, pay interest on the loan and not use it because we have not finished the project on time then something is wrong. Especially if we are not getting taxes and not lending the decommissioning funds to the pipe layer for any interest income. No one needs the burden of all that money? Sounds logical? Is there no poverty in Guyana? Does everyone have too much to eat and too many comforts? The auditor general’s office needs to get involved to decide whether it is poor management or poor ethics. Even China is waging a war on corruption and corrupt officials.
Votes for sale or votes that can be bought? Do we need another term of poorly managed and poorly executed government projects, handouts when flooding occurs, officials in high places being charged with corruption but never receiving verdicts, and 5 am meetings to be reminded that leadership is a luxury that is lacking where it is most needed? Make hay while the sun shines is what they use to say to us. Yet waste not want not has been forgotten. Take the funds, but don’t let it cloud your judgement. The money is rightfully yours. This is independent of who is in power.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana