http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....g-the-jagdeo-regime/
Ramotar guilty of not coming out publicly against corruption during the Jagdeo regime
Dear Editor,
Very few people in Guyana or abroad believe that corruption and fraud will end under the PPP minority regime-giving the decades of financial misappropriation and malpractices.
Corruption has become part of our culture. It is massive and widespread and only a national CAMPAIGN will seriously put an end to this scourge that plagues our entire landscape.
Only an Independent Public Commission of Inquiry will unearth the history of deep-seated corruption that has become part of our political culture. The PPP, like the PNC, sustained the “Paramountcy of the Party”, which Mr. David Granger, quite rightly, said that he will eradicate. He has a lot to do. The root causes of this evil have plagued our society for more than 40 years. It will not end overnight.
Mr. Ramotar is equally guilty as General Secretary of the ruling party for not coming out publicly against corruption during the Jagdeo period of misrule, despite constant exposure in the daily press and media.
When I saw former Comrade Ramotar at Freedom House three years ago, we discussed this very issue and the involvement of PPP members and supporters in corruption, and he said that he agreed with me that something drastic had to be done. But he has done nothing up to today.
The truth is, his hands and legs were tied because a large section of businessmen (including drug lords) financially donated to the PPP and he had to ensure that they get the “payback” that they envisaged prior to paying those huge donations.
And what about those contractors, party members and supporters, who were given huge contracts and have no qualifications or expertise in the specific areas? The “CONTRACTING” scam became a “milking cow” for the PPP to FILL its coffers and its friends and families.
One retired school teacher on the West Coast of Demerara, was given a contract to clean trenches and canals. He had no experience, but yet he profited from corrupt institutions propagated by the PPP central office, Freedom House, headed by our good friend, Comrade Donald Ramotar.
Mr. Juan Edghill, the self-professed Bishop, now turned financial “expert” overnight, did tell his audience at the so-called training conference , about the connections between those people who are to sit on the Tender Panels and the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and how are they recruited to the Panel.
What are the complaint procedures and Appeal systems put in place to ensure REAL transparency? There are other questions that must be raised. Does the Procurement policy match international standards and what mechanisms are put in place to ensure that after a job is completed – how sustainable it will be and avoid it crumbling in a few months?
Nepotism and the immoral culture that have developed over the decades will not end unless strict penalties are put in place to the extent that very heavy fines or long-term jail sentences are prescribed.
Jinnah Rahman
Guyanese and UK Journalist