Guyana is not the private property of any politician
Written by realTalk
Saturday, 25 February 2012 15:44
Arguably to date, the greatest mistake Guyanese people could have made in the history of their local politics, was to allow the PPP to ascend to government in 1992. After being duped by the late Cheddi Jagan when he campaigned in 1992 that his PPP led government would govern with transparency and accountability, Guyanese would witness the most corrupt government of all time. As the Jagans faded from Guyanese politics, a leader with their blessings emerged to vigorously brand the PPP as the most corrupt regime in Guyanese history.
Many hapless supporters of the PPP would differ with the candid assessment of the PPP above, but when a government does what it likes with taxpayers’ money, and blatantly refuses to account to the people, one must vociferously denounce such a government. Especially during the last decade of the PPP’s rule, Guyanese were exposed to unprecedented levels of corruption in all sections of government. Secrecy replaced the transparency Cheddi pontificated in 1992. And as the recent deliberations in the parliament concerning the way the PPP led government handles the country’s finances, one can argue that accountability is a word not known or understood by the PPP.
The notorious secret deals that have taken place within the last 10 years should be enough to have Guyanese question the legality of these deals. The combined opposition must continue to be militant in their quest to review all the deals made by the government within the last 10 years, especially those made in secret.
If a government cannot inform its people about initiatives it intends to undertake that includes the use of public funds, then that government must be viewed as corrupt. A hotel project had been in its negotiating stages with a subsequent deal signing, but Guyanese had to learn about its details from a foreign newspaper. Is this right? Is this the way governments operate in a democratic society? Yet Guyanese who support the PPP seem to have no problem with this type of behaviour being exhibited by the government.
Guyanese are now being made aware of another secret deal. This one has to do with a Trinidadian Company signing a deal with the Guyana Government since September 2011 to begin the manufacturing of Ethanol.
As Guyanese celebrated their 42nd anniversary as a Republic on Thursday, February 23, Guyanese in Trinidad were reading in the Guardian Newspapers this headline: “ANSA McAL, Guyana sign govt ethanol pact”. At this time, the local media can get no specific information as to the terms of reference concerning this deal. Not even the people at ANSA McAL are willing to disclose vital information to the Guyanese people. And why should they? If the Guyanese government does not find it fit to tell its people about its investments then one cannot expect a private company to come clean.
One key negotiator for the government has already resigned. The combined opposition must not let up in their forensic financial investigations into the way the government spent public funds. If in the likelihood that illegality is uncovered, those responsible must be brought to swift justice. Guyana is not the personal property of any politician! Any deals that any government of Guyana makes with any entity that includes the use of public funds must be made public.
The local media states that ANSA McAl will be sending a high level team to clear the air on their deal with the Guyana government. The Guyanese people however must demand that its government reveals everything surrounding this deal, and all others. Perhaps the new dispensation in Parliament will exert the correct pressure in the right areas to make the PPP-led government truly accountable to the Guyanese people.
Written by realTalk
Saturday, 25 February 2012 15:44
Arguably to date, the greatest mistake Guyanese people could have made in the history of their local politics, was to allow the PPP to ascend to government in 1992. After being duped by the late Cheddi Jagan when he campaigned in 1992 that his PPP led government would govern with transparency and accountability, Guyanese would witness the most corrupt government of all time. As the Jagans faded from Guyanese politics, a leader with their blessings emerged to vigorously brand the PPP as the most corrupt regime in Guyanese history.
Many hapless supporters of the PPP would differ with the candid assessment of the PPP above, but when a government does what it likes with taxpayers’ money, and blatantly refuses to account to the people, one must vociferously denounce such a government. Especially during the last decade of the PPP’s rule, Guyanese were exposed to unprecedented levels of corruption in all sections of government. Secrecy replaced the transparency Cheddi pontificated in 1992. And as the recent deliberations in the parliament concerning the way the PPP led government handles the country’s finances, one can argue that accountability is a word not known or understood by the PPP.
The notorious secret deals that have taken place within the last 10 years should be enough to have Guyanese question the legality of these deals. The combined opposition must continue to be militant in their quest to review all the deals made by the government within the last 10 years, especially those made in secret.
If a government cannot inform its people about initiatives it intends to undertake that includes the use of public funds, then that government must be viewed as corrupt. A hotel project had been in its negotiating stages with a subsequent deal signing, but Guyanese had to learn about its details from a foreign newspaper. Is this right? Is this the way governments operate in a democratic society? Yet Guyanese who support the PPP seem to have no problem with this type of behaviour being exhibited by the government.
Guyanese are now being made aware of another secret deal. This one has to do with a Trinidadian Company signing a deal with the Guyana Government since September 2011 to begin the manufacturing of Ethanol.
As Guyanese celebrated their 42nd anniversary as a Republic on Thursday, February 23, Guyanese in Trinidad were reading in the Guardian Newspapers this headline: “ANSA McAL, Guyana sign govt ethanol pact”. At this time, the local media can get no specific information as to the terms of reference concerning this deal. Not even the people at ANSA McAL are willing to disclose vital information to the Guyanese people. And why should they? If the Guyanese government does not find it fit to tell its people about its investments then one cannot expect a private company to come clean.
One key negotiator for the government has already resigned. The combined opposition must not let up in their forensic financial investigations into the way the government spent public funds. If in the likelihood that illegality is uncovered, those responsible must be brought to swift justice. Guyana is not the personal property of any politician! Any deals that any government of Guyana makes with any entity that includes the use of public funds must be made public.
The local media states that ANSA McAl will be sending a high level team to clear the air on their deal with the Guyana government. The Guyanese people however must demand that its government reveals everything surrounding this deal, and all others. Perhaps the new dispensation in Parliament will exert the correct pressure in the right areas to make the PPP-led government truly accountable to the Guyanese people.