Isn’t this a real case of definite and certain sloth?

Feb 05, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter from Mr. Alfred King, the PS- Ministry of Sports captioned “Ministry disturbed by procedure used to sensationalize apparent sloth in progress at synthetic track”.  Apparent sloth?  Isn’t this a real case of definite and certain sloth which is a clear and present danger to the athletic community of Guyana and more particularly the residents of Region 3?
In the PPP 2006 manifesto – Bharat Jagdeo promised the people that between 2006 and 2011, he shall develop necessary sports facilities for the people with special consideration given to:
1. synthetic track for athletics,
2. a velodrome for cycling; and
3. an Olympic size swimming pool
Let me remind Mr. King, this is the year 2012 and 2011 has long gone but what can I say, the legacy of Bharat Jagdeo is there for all to see; a graveyard of many promises and very few deliverables. Yes, there is an Olympic size pool and I am so excited by that achievement.  However, in 2012 it is still not open to the public and does not have a warm up pool so that project cannot score an A, but more realistically a C plus.
Then there is the case of the synthetic track that was supposed to be developed in three phases.  The evidence reveals that Phase One remains incomplete in 2012, even though Phase Three was promised in 2006.  Pictures do not speak untruth; human being do. I remain concerned that we were led to believe in October 2011 that Phase One was completed but the picture evidence in 2012 tell a different story resulting in the truth finally coming out – Mr. King admitted that there has been some “unwelcomed delays” resulting in punitive damage being levied on the contractor Courtney Benn.   The journalist who exposed this gross lapse on the part of the executive team at the Ministry of Sports must be congratulated; well done!  This Project scored a D minus.
Might I remind Mr. King this is the 10th parliament, not the 9th. Trotman from the AFC is Speaker, not Ramkarran from the PPP.  The combined opposition commands the majority in parliament not the PPP, so his modus operandi is not very smart and unfortunately the politician in the 10th Parliament will hold no prisoners so if your Minister deems it fit that you shall be the collateral damage to save his career, and then it shall so be done.  All I am saying as a public servant do your work and serve the public and cut all this high nonsense of defending clear and present slothfulness and light the fire under the right people.
I do not even want to talk about the velodrome – no location, no contract, no contractor, no plans, no velodrome, no vision!  Need I say more?  This Project score an F.
Failure to execute is the gap between what the leader wants and the ability of the organization to deliver it.  It is not rocket science, it is just a simple system of getting things done through questioning, analyzing and follow through.  Therefore Mr. King, execution on any projects that come under the purview of your Ministry is not for the Engineering Supervisor only, but for those who sit in the Board Room at the Ministry including the Minister.  He must more constantly visit this flagship project with the media and ask question of why and more whys?  This is a major part of his job – executing!  Does he have an operation plan for 2012 and what does it say about this athletic track?  Is it a copy and paste job from last year plans brought forward to 2012 or was it developed by calling a meeting with the financiers, the contractor, the Athletic Association and other stakeholders on the work site to develop the 2012 plan, share out the actionable duties and take personal responsibility to monitor the execution?
What can Mr. King and his team offer better to their people in 2012 that they could not in 2011?  Mr. King, it is time to bring the typical over-used excuses to an end and switch into a yes mode and give the people what they were long promised and justly deserve.
As to that comments that “journalist must seek the agency’s permission” to take a photograph, I will leave that where it belongs, in the archives of public relations “dotishness”.  What is the Ministry hiding?  How does the Ministry feel that the progressive journalist still got the picture, still got the story and now they are more exposed than ever before?
Let us cut to the chase. Guyana was supposed to have changed for the better after November 28?  Let me forewarn people like Mr. Alfred King, in this new dispensation leaders who cannot execute will not get a free run anymore compliments of the 10th Parliament.  I trust His Excellency President Donald Ramotar will hold no prisoners and deservingly light the fire under the delinquent officials.
Dem ah watch you Mr. Alfred King!
Sasenarine Singh

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