Not “Jack of All”, just simply serving my country.

Jan 24, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Allow me to respond to the points raised in an unsigned letter that appeared in the Kaieteur News of January 23, 2012.
First, I understand that the Kaieteur News has a policy of not publishing letters in which the writers choose to withhold their names, so I am surprised that an unsigned letter attacking me appeared in that publication.
I, myself, have a policy of not responding to letters in which there are no signatures, but I’m breaking my own rule in this case to address the points that the writer – or writers – of the letter raised because of the gravity of the accusations against me.
Let me start off by saying that I have a professional relationship with former President Bharrat Jagdeo and at no time did I approach him for any position. In fact, there are cases where I turned down positions that were offered to me. I have never approached any politician or asked any favours.
On the statement that I made about President Jagdeo being the best President that I have worked with, I have no apologies for saying this. As far as I know the constitution provides for free speech.
All the areas in which I have worked have been open and I have never been involved in any secret deals. The President has on more than one occasion expressed his satisfaction with my work. Many of the positions I hold are not full time ones and therefore did not impair my performance as head of the HSDU, as the writer or writers of the letter suggested. I admit that over the past weeks I have not been at work for some days because of illness but people would know that once I have work to do I would work through the entire night.
I would like the writer or writers of the letter to look at where the HSDU was when I assumed the position of head to where it is now and use this assessment to determine the efficacy of my performance. From this check, the writer or writers of the letter would be able to determine whether my involvement with other entities in any way hampers the effectiveness of the HSDU in terms of meeting stringent timelines and targets.
In terms of what the letter said about the group called ‘Friends of Donald’, which I put together, I had said publicly that once the elections were over we would be converting the group into an advocacy organization that will monitor the implementation of the manifestos of all the political parties. This could be confirmed by simply speaking to any member of the group.
Regarding my resignation from state boards, as I had stated in a previous correspondence, in 1992 and before, I was on state boards under the PNC administration and after the PPP/C won the elections, I similarly resigned from those positions and was reappointed to some of them. I did it not to put pressure on anyone as the letter seems to be suggesting, in fact I usually do it as a reminder to the new President that if someone else is deemed more suited for the position(s) they should seek out that individual. I have no intention of continuing on any one of these state boards unless asked to by the President.
Regarding remuneration from the boards, I have had a policy before 1992 of not accepting board fees and I would like the writer or writers of the letter to check with GAWU to see whether or not my board fees are going directly to the sugar workers of GuySuCo, as is the case. Similarly the fees that I receive from the Guyana National Newspapers Limited is going towards the welfare of the staff or even whether the amount I was paid as a member of the Competition Commission was or wasn’t donated to the staff that work there.
I want to cite one more example where I was paid over $300,000.00 to function as the Commissioner into the affairs of the Georgetown Municipality; this entire amount was paid to those persons who assisted in preparing the reports for distribution. I do this not because I am a wealthy man. I am not. It is a matter of principle.
With respect to another institution I was asked to head, my predecessor was paid a salary of over US$12,000 and did not achieve the level of debt recovery that had been envisaged by the Government. As a result, the then President asked me to wind up the operations of this entity in 2004. However, because of the work done and the approach I adopted, our rate of collection increased by over 5000% (I’m unable to provide details of this without approval from my superiors).
The writer or writers can also check to see if the amount I was paid (if any) was nearly as much as my predecessor.
In all of those institutions I requested that there be audits and most of them are up to date in terms of audits. Provided my superiors gave the OK, I am willing to make all of the audits of these entities available. In fact, the letter writer or writers could commission an audit of all the areas that I have been involved in and I am willing to fully cooperate with them.
I know for a fact that the President is fully capable of making decisions with respect to appointments to public entities and therefore could not be influenced by any other factors. Two weeks ago I had discussions with His Excellency the President and at that meeting (Mr. President I have to apologise for mentioning this without seeking your consent) I was offered a very senior position of which I politely turned down.
I reiterated during my meeting with His Excellency that I have no interest in position whether it be as a board member or otherwise but I wanted to work in a role to enhance the cohesion of all Guyanese and to ensure  that donor funds are well spent. Further, I indicated that this work would not envisage any remuneration.
This letter is not that surprising since there are a number of persons including persons in the political arena who believe that because I served President Jagdeo I should not work with His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar. It is my anticipation that there will be more of these letters coming my way; however, I wish to say I will continue to as a nationalist to work for the betterment of my country.
In conclusion, I believe that the writer or writers and others behind the letter are people who believe that I am seeking to influence the current President.
Keith Burrowes

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