GCCI ought to be fair to gain the respect of the people

May 09, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Since 2003, the Government had approved the Procurement Act, which allows for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, in accordance with Section 212 of the Constitution. It has been almost 10 years since this law has been assented to, but it has been either ignored or has been dumped into the archives of Guyana’s laws, since the administration refuses to give it life.
If there is a reason as to why the Cabinet under this PPP Government continues to ignore the need to establish the Public Procurement Commission, the people need to know.
Section 54 (6) of the Procurement Act states, “Cabinet’s involvement under this section shall cease upon the constitution of the Public Procurement Commission”.
So once the Public Procurement Commission is established, the government cannot secretly sign any major deals. In fact, it would be illegal for it to sign any contract if not approved by that Commission. Further, it would be highly improper to even attempt to influence the process and to determine who gets which contract once the body is in place.
With people of integrity on that Commission, every single transaction will become transparent and above board, for all Guyanese to observe and question. This means that all competent and hardworking contractors will flourish, while those who are political operators will fade away. Kickbacks to politicians will also subside and so too, corruption.
That is why we object strongly to the latest irresponsible outburst and lack of trust from the leadership of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on the budget cuts.
Instead of criticizing the opposition, the GCCI needs to make its position public on several issues, including the 2013 budget, which caters mostly to the rich, unabated corrupt practices that are taking place daily in all levels of government, the marginalization of one ethnic group, youth unemployment which is at an all-time high, and the regime’s refusal to assent to bills passed by Parliament.
Further, we challenge the GCCI to make its position public on the government’s refusal to establish the Public Procurement Commission? What is the GCCI’s position on the workers of Guyana securing a living wage? Where were the voices of the GCCI when Guyanese workers were denied their right to work on the Marriott Hotel Project. Does the GCCI believe that the meagre pension of $12,500 is enough for our seniors?
We urge the GCCI to re-examine its internal policies.
The GCCI in its vision statement claims that it hopes to have “strong influence on relevant government policies”, but it is clear that this is not so. As the oldest body representing the mercantile class in Guyana, the GCCI has a responsibility to understand that if all the gears of development are not turning, the engine of growth will stall. For how much longer must the people continue to live on G$55,000 per month salaries when the average cost to take care of a family of four is over G$85,000 per month?
The GCCI has a responsibility to lobby the government, not only for their membership but for the whole nation. If not, they can very well back themselves into a corner where the masses and the opposition politicians can likely deem them irrelevant and ignore their suggestions.
So before the GCCI can suggest that the cuts in the budget be restored, let us hear it from Mr. Clinton Urling on what he thinks about the non-establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, the under-payment of the workers of Guyana, and the other aforementioned issues that will help to improve the lives of the majority of Guyanese.
The GCCI’s relevance and importance to society depend on how it addresses these issues. It ought to be fair to gain the respect of the people.
Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

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