Almost everything govt. does is cloaked in secrecy and corruption

May 16, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I am absolutely amazed at the bombastic arrogance of the leader of our country. In an article published in the SN May 13: “Avoid ‘cake-shop‘ reportage on Amaila – Jagdeo”; President Jagdeo, in referring to previous articles published in the Kaieteur News questioning the qualifications and technical expertise of Mr. Makeshwar Fip Motilall and Synergy Holdings Inc. to undertake the major construction of the access road for the Amaila Hydro Project, labelled them “cake-shop” reporting.
Isn’t it ironic that the very use of the words ‘cake-shop’ reminds me of the way he is running the country.
Mr. President, you have the power to stop all the speculation and investigation of Makeshwar Fip Motilall and Synergy Holdings Inc., and now that we’re aware of another secret deal with Zublin Grenada Limited, I feel sure the intensity of these investigations will continue.
You have the power Sir, but trying to discredit the work of hard-working journalists is not the way to do it.
Mr. President, you were elected to serve all the people of Guyana. The taxpayers of Guyana pay your salary, your bills, and those of your ministers. When your administration negotiates developmental projects, they expect you to do so on their behalf, not your own. Use the power of the internet and the immense source of information available to your office, to properly investigate the authenticity and history of a company or individual before committing the resources of the Guyanese people.
Apparently you’ve learnt nothing from your rush to appoint former and now imprisoned New York Commissioner of Police Bernard Kerik as your security advisor, despite allegations of corruption and pending felony charges by the US Government, published in both Kaieteur News and SN at the time.
Your problem Mr. President is; you do not feel anyone should question your judgement. And maybe no one would have done so, had your administration been credible and transparent.
Everyone is longing to see real progress and infrastructural development occur; we just want all Guyanese to benefit from it, that’s all. Given the level of corruption within the government, we don’t want contracts given to anyone in exchange for a cutback, to secure a politician’s income after leaving office.
Thank God the independent media have been vigilant. They are doing the investigative reporting that their profession demands.
Mr. President, if you feel that sections of the media are “masquerading” in their quest for the “next scandal”, don’t give it to them. Come clean with the Guyanese people and let us know the following:
What hard evidence could you produce to convince us that Fip Motilall and Synergy Holdings Inc. have the technical expertise and equipment to successfully complete the project they’re contracted for?
What are the names of similar projects completed by Synergy Holdings Inc., given to you by Fip Motilall as part of the contract requirement?
What guarantee can you give the taxpayers of this country that the Amaila road project will be successfully completed within the US$15 million price tag?
Is there a contingency budget for this project, if so, how much?
Immense pressure was brought upon the Grenada Government by Mr. Dick Van Dijk, CEO of Zublin Grenada Limited to allow him to build and operate a casino there.
Question: Was the same request made to the Guyana Government as part of the Marriott Resort & Casino, and was this part of the “very attractive offer” made to him? If so, was due diligence done to determine Mr. Van Dijk’s ability to successfully operate a casino, considering his civil engineering background?
Are you impressed with the one project listed as “completed” on the website of Zublin Grenada Limited (http://www.zublingrenada.com/projects/index.html)?
Because from all reports, there are serious design flaws that the Grenadian people are not happy about.
In another year or so, President Jagdeo will have ended his reign as the fifth Head of State since independence. Surly he must be thinking of the legacy he will leave behind; how will he be remembered.
John F Kennedy once said, “The basic of effective government is public confidence” but how can the people have confidence in their elected officials when everything they do is cloaked in secrecy and corruption?
If President Jagdeo is so confident that the ‘deals’ he make with investors are all above board, and will truly benefit the people of Guyana, he should not hesitate for the details to be made public… after all, what is there to hide? But we all know he can’t do so, can you Mr. President?
Harry Gill

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