Dear Editor,
The issue with late projects and shoddy work in Guyana is a systemic problem that will require the Guyana Government to step up in a big way and fix it. Threatening to terminate contracts and blacklisting contractors will not solve the problem. There seems to be a myriad of issues that need to be fixed from the way contracts are awarded to the planning and execution of projects. If problems are fixed upstream, then they do not cascade to downstream activities.
If the Government is serious about fixing this problem, it needs to set up a task force, or workgroup with subject matter experts in procurement, contract management, project management, engineering, quality control, finance, construction management, supply chain, human resources, skills development, etc. It should include Guyanese from the Diaspora with deep expertise in these areas if they are willing to participate.
This workgroup needs to be agile and deliver results in the shortest time possible, especially for the “low-hanging fruits”. They need to conduct the relevant assessments, publish their findings and recommendations, and develop an implementation plan, including a plan for continuous improvement.
Fixing the problems that are plaguing Guyana will require a different mindset, a different culture, and most importantly of all, visionary, inspirational and enlightened leaders, along with a great team of highly competent technocrats. Singapore gained Independence in August 1965 less than a year before Guyana, and today it is a first-world country. Singapore lacked the natural resources and land that Guyana has, yet it was able to achieve this status under the great leadership of Lee Kuan Yew and his band of exceptionally talented technocrats.
If Guyana is serious about developing into a prosperous, highly successful, technologically advanced country, the leadership must aggressively engage and leverage the vast talent pool of skilled and experienced Guyanese in the Diaspora, who can make a significant contribution to this transformation. The leaders in Guyana cannot have this “not invented here” mentality, or have this insular culture or thinking if they want to achieve great results for the country.
Sincerely,
Krishundyal Singh
