September 10 ,2021
Dear Editor,
Carl Roopchand writes that “GO-Invest in Trouble” (Sept. 9) because an individual there is calling in business folks to discuss using his firm for business. In that as well as several other ministries, a person would call in contractors or bidders or investors to discuss “investment fees” or “non-government taxes” (drawback or corruption money) as business folks call them. This behaviour is not anything strange and unique as it characterises most ministries.
The investment fee varies from between seven percent to 20 percent. All major business folks know the culprits. The corrupt runs amok; the Vice President must do something about it. Certain known tainted individuals going back pre-2015 have been appointed with high positions to be bagmen or carryout instructions.
The practice of contract fees is widespread in almost all Ministries from the head and a few surrounding him or her, not only under this government, but all governments except under the Jagans. It was a cancer under the coalition and the cancer is spreading rapidly under this administration at the top.
Only a handful of Ministers or Ministries is excluded — like Social Security, Health, Public Service, Prime Minister, Labour, etc. The whole cabinet is aware of corrupt practices. No one speaks out.
In addition to corruption, immorality is rising. There are reports that a high official attempted to rape a young lady in a Ministry’s office just a couple days ago. And another official had set up a bedroom on the top floor of his office with female guests as visitors.
This is the kind of government that has replaced the rejected coalition. People are indeed looking and assessing. Just like what happened in 2011 and 2015 is likely to be repeated in 2025.
After 13 months, there is enough justification for a change in administration to recur as a bulwark against corruption and immorality. If government does not think it is rapidly being hated as much as the coalition, then it should call a snap election.
Yours truly,
Budhram Singh
GO-Invest in Trouble
Dear Editor,
I wish to congratulate the government, and if I may, the President and Vice President and the Attorney General for the excellent work they have done in the first year. Clearly visionary and far sighted, the government has been doing its best, but they have a few Achilles heel — one of whom is an individual at GO-Invest.
Editor, this individual has been summoning project officers from GO-Invest, much to their displeasure and annoyance, to discuss their files. He has been contacting these investors and promising them the stars and the moon in return for them using his firm and business places. This, Editor, is corruption at its zenith.
It is difficult for the PPP to condemn APNU’s corruption, albeit justified, and within their own palace the crooks proliferate. People are looking. They are assessing. And they are forming opinions. 2025 will be no walk in the park unless these sores are excised.
Sincerely,
Carl Roopchand
