Could this be an attempt to deflect attention from internal ineptitude?

Jun 23, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
In the Guyana Chronicle, it is reported that the leaders of the PNCR and PPP/C are going to examine the formula for the allocation of subventions to the Local Government organisations.

The President is reported to have said that a formula had been developed and is a subject of discussion at the level of the “joint working group”. It is presumed that this group is the Joint Task Force for Local Government Reform.

While this scenario is coming from the Head of State, it was only a few days ago that Donald Ramotar, General Secretary of the PPP, was offering the public his tirade that all discussions were over and that it was GECOM which was delaying the holding of Local Government Elections.

Someone has to be lying here. Is it Mr. Ramotar or the President? Would we need a lie detector to determine who it is? I don’t think so, since I believe that the President would not make statements which cannot be substantiated.

Can the relevant authority — whether Parliament, Government or the political parties — disclose what system would be used for Local Government Elections? Would it not be prudent for the Joint Task Force for Local Government Reform to break its silence on this matter, especially in view of the confusion that has been publicly peddled, by providing this nation with specific details?

Since no date has been fixed for Local Government Elections, and this does not seem to be likely in the near future, why are attempts being made to blame GECOM for delaying these elections? Could this be an attempt by those who try to do this to deflect attention from internal ineptitude?

Concerned Citizen