The PPP has exceeded the PNC

Feb 21, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The PPP regime’s propaganda czar, Dr Prem Misir in his letter, “Replicating “Egypt in Guyana” against the new opposition,” (Kaieteur News 02-19-11), wrote, “Let me reiterate some things I said some time ago. In 1992, the PPP/C Administration inherited a callous legacy from the authoritarian People’s National Congress regime; today, the PPP/C continues to face challenges, some external, in its drive to consolidate democracy in Guyana because of some enduring pre-1992 dictatorial traditions, beliefs, and values, unsuitable to a functioning democracy.”
Dr Misr did not define “callous legacy” and “enduring pre-1992 dictatorial tradition, beliefs, and values unsuitable to a functioning democracy.”
His letter can cause confusion in the minds of the young voters who may not know what the PPP really inherited in 1992 when it regained office and if the PPP has improved its inheritance.
A brief description of the last seven years of the PNC under President Hoyte and the 19 years of PPP rule will help new first time voters form an opinion of the two governments.
During the last seven years of PNC rule, Mr. Hoyte, with Police Commissioner Balram Raghubir, almost eradicated the armed criminals, who were known as kick down the door bandits, by capturing, prosecuting, and jailing them.
Those who were convicted of murder were hanged. Such actions brought the scourge under control. PNC henchman and leader of the House of Israel, Rabbi Washington, was charged, prosecuted, and jailed for several crimes including murder.
PNC supporter Errol Butcher aka Taps and an associate were charged, prosecuted, and jailed for trafficking in drugs. PNC Minister of Agriculture Robert Corbin was removed from office and investigated for sexual assault.
PNC supporter and GNS Officer Brian Archer was charged, prosecuted, and jailed for manslaughter. PNC supporter and GDF Senior Officer Godwin McPherson was charged and prosecuted for larceny. He was acquitted.
In moving against his fellow Afro Guyanese and PNC supporters Mr. Hoyte was simply doing his duty as required by the laws of Guyana.
He showed no favour to anyone in the discharge of his duties as regards crime and corruption. This is the approach to governance that the PPP inherited. Did the PPP continue with such governance? On the contrary the PPP did quite the opposite.
The PPP’s matriarch Ms Jagan used her influence to free Errol Butcher aka Taps and House of Israel leader Rabbi Washinton. She said that Washington was misused by Burnham.
Her “party children” said that Taps would help mobilise support for the PPP in South Georgetown. Armed criminals were soon active again with gangs operating throughout Guyana. Today crime is rampant and all-pervading with many petty killings for a few dollars.
The PPP has not sanctioned any of its functionaries and supporters. PPP Member of Parliament Hughley Hannoman supplied garbage as feriliser to the Government, sub-standard milk powder to the Government, and cheated the Government out of import duties and taxes.
Presidential Adviser on Empowerment Odinga Lumumba was embroiled in a wild life scam and there were complaints of him jumping claims in the gold bush. Presidential Liason Officer Kwame McKoy has been at the centre of several child molestation allegations.
Minister Kellawan Lall has been involved in a few incidents of drunken brawling, pistol whipping, and hit and run. Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad’s son drove his duty free Hummer into a crowd of people, causing the death of one person.
The PPP Government has taken no action against these party functionaries. They were never investigated, charged, and prosecuted. This is in total contrast to the PNC’s Hoyte approach to governance. Further evidence of the PPP’s rejection of good governance is as follow.
Mr. Hoyte had re-staffed the Office of the Auditor General and appointed Mr. Annand Goolsarran as the Auditor General.
In a few years Mr. Goolsarran was able to clear up the backlog of audits in all government agencies and the required annual audits were being done on time.
Corruption was curbed. The PNC ministers did not build an exclusive luxury housing scheme. PNC ministers drove around in fuel efficient 280C Datsun cars and other officials had smaller Lada cars.
The PPP in opposition denounced these vehicles as extravagance, and regularly accused the PNC of squander mania and corruption. What did the PPP do upon taking office? The PPP hounded Mr. Goolsarran out of office and the Office of the Auditor was soon converted into a toothless poodle.
The PPP top brass constructed an exclusive luxury housing complex for themselves. It was called Pradoville because the PPP dignitaries all drove large outlandishly expensive SUVs named Prado.
Not satisfied with this some in the PPP, led by President Jagdeo, are building Pradoville 2. The PPP Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad, whose only official source of income is his salary, recently “bought” the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar for US$1M cash and “invested” US$0.5M cash in the business. The PPP friends and supporters became “contractors” and are awarded all the contracts to build infrastructure.
Only a few days ago the Kaieteur News showed a picture a small house that cost $5M and a much smaller “community centre” that a contractor built for $30M. A profit of $25M was made. This is a typical government contract. Again, no PPP comrade has been prosecuted for corruption.
The PPP leaders have proven themselves to be a bunch of hypocrites. When in opposition they made all sort of accusations against the PNC leaders as regards corruption.
While it might be true that some PNC government officials were corrupt, the PPP by their corruption has made the PNC government officials look like boy scouts.
If the PNC comrades stole some mangoes from the farm, the PPP comrades stole the whole farm. At least when the PNC comrades were caught they were disciplined by their leader. When the PPP boys are caught they are promoted and given more resources to plunder.
Young voters please note, in the mind of Dr Misir, and his PPP cohorts, to stamp out corruption and sanction culpable party supporters are “values unsuitable to a functioning democracy.”
In closing let me assure young voters that Brig Granger will never tolerate theft and corruption in his government nor party.
Malcolm Harripaul

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