Let the scrutinizing of assets begin at the top

Jan 10, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The article of Thursday January 8, 2009; captioned “Customs Officers assets to be scrutinized – President”, conjures up, once again, a clearly paradoxical and lopsided development which creates an opportunity for a renewed call by Guyanese to demand that the business of scrutinizing assets extends to Senior Government functionaries.
It is obvious that President Jagdeo’s decision to scrutinize the assets of Customs Officers stemmed as a result of the Polar Beer scam regarding Fidelity Investment and Kong Inc, in which, it is reported that, Polar Beers imported in Guyana, through this company, were registered as soft drinks in order to defraud the government of revenue, a case in which several Customs Officers are implicated.
It is critical that none of us engage in those behaviors that will rape our country of needed revenue, since such behaviours are likely to negatively impact on the lives of our citizens, particularly the poor, children, and the elderly. However, the President’s recent decision to scrutinize assets of Customs Officers should not only be limited to those officers but must be extended to all senior government functionaries; including Ministers of the government.
It is important that if we are committed to “a cleaning house project” that all suspected parties must be part of the process, too often we react with these plastic surgery approaches which are limited in their effect, stymied in their scope, and lack a truly comprehensive and holistic approach to solving well entrenched problems. I am in support of the investigation of any wrong doing but I also believe that these investigations must not be seen as an attempt to create scapegoats, while the masterminds and “silver collar criminals” are ignored or allowed to pursue their hidden agendas undisturbed. The President must demonstrate to the Guyanese people that he is committed to rake out corruption from even within the bosom of his government. At the time of the “stone scam” within the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics, and of which the then Minister was identified as the main mastermind, Guyanese called for an intensive investigation, what did we get; the Minister involved in the allegation remained on the job until he resigned. Then there was the scam at the Legal Affairs Ministry, which saw the then, Permanent Secretary, being deeply implicated in the matter which also involved hundreds of thousands of dollars, what happened? There are many other instances of fraud allegedly committed by senior government functionaries, but we never hear the President call for the assets of his allies to be scrutinized, and the public must be concerned about these developments. According to the Constitution “no one is above the law”.
It is believed that many of these fraud cases do not start and stop with those involved in the actual fraudulent transactions; which might be detected at the most basic level, but that they have a deeper connection to some of the most well connected, who see themselves as immune or absolved from investigations because of their affiliations. So, I again call on the President to demonstrate a truly non-partisan position on this matter and, let the scrutinizing of assets begin at the top. There are claims of Ministers owning millions of dollars of assets soon after their elevation to their current position. There are claims that comrades who were once riding bicycle a year before they assumed Ministerial portfolio, and key government posts have come to own three of four personal vehicles such as the coveted “prado”, and other name brand types.
There are also serious allegations out there which suggest that senior government functionaries benefit from “drawbacks” connected to the tendering process. So Mr. President, let it be known that I am all for investigation of wrong doings but I believe that the Guyanese people will be better satisfied if you demonstrate that unwavering commitment to a fair and unbiased approach to end corruption. Good governance dictates that those put in charge of public revenue, goods and services account to the people.
In the news item the President is quoted as saying that the AG’s report, regarding the Fidelity Investment Fraud, will be tabled in the National Assembly for public scrutiny as soon as possible, according to him as early as the next two or three sittings. I find the President’s intent on making such pronouncement in advance of the completion of the report quite interesting, I am however, disappointed, and perplexed as to why he did not act with such haste to ensure that the torture report, which has been completed more than six months now, be tabled in the National Assembly for debate.
You see Mr. Jagdeo, actions like these show clear inconsistencies in what you say and how you address issues, for this reason ill motives can be easily imputed for your actions. The complaint of citizens being tortured is a serious human rights issue which strikes at the core of our pseudo democracy.
So I take this opportunity to reiterate my call for the torture report to be laid in the public domain, in fact, it should be brought and entertained for debate in the National Assembly before the AG’s report on the alleged Customs Fraud. And, let the chips lay where they fall.
A Blessed New Year to all.
Lurlene Nestor.

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