Citizen writes the President on three crucial issues

Jan 12, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I was extremely happy, President Granger when the coalition you lead was elected to govern our country. The euphoria continued for a while because I was seeing positive moves like the transformation of Georgetown through the ongoing clean up and the energy of Minister Broomes especially. I saw betterment for every one of us in Guyana.
Then I started seeing things that are extremely worrying because they were not being addressed as they ought to be. Mr. President, perception is everything and you need to avoid us perceiving that the best is not being done by you. This will avoid unwanted criticisms which can distract you and your team from more serious matters.  Kindly allow me to discuss some issues that from my point of view are of much concern.
1. The removal of Minister Broomes from The Ministry for Social Protection – I am quite sure that many others perceive the removal of this most energetic and conscientious Minister is intended to appease the business people, especially the big foreign businesses that are exploiting Guyanese workers. When the Minister visits these businesses, she exposes them for who they are and it was embarrassing them. Now Mr. President in my perception that you removed her to avoid her ruffling more feathers, you have placed her in the Natural Resources Ministry which has oversight of the mining industry thereby creating another controversy. Regardless of how much it is spun, Minister Broomes is in a clear position of conflict of interest for her profession is mining and she has some mining interests. Mr. President, it would help your image if you correct this situation very early. My suggestion is that Minister Broomes should have her own ministry that would speak to her strengths. Put her solely in charge of Labor and trafficking in persons. I know that it can be political ammunition for the opposition if you back track on this issue but it will enhance your image to me and countless others if you give Minister Broomes her own ministry for it would be the right thing to do. Just forget the politics and maybe, personalities. I say for there is a rumor that Minister Broomes and Minister Lawrence don’t agree. If this is so, then once again the correct thing to do is to give Minister Broomes her own ministry.
2. The use of the intelligence corp to do surveillance on a civilian – Mr. President this matter stinks to high heaven and I am very disturbed that so much incompetence was revealed when this tragic affair that led to the unnecessary death of three persons was made public. Mr. President, you are on record saying that no investigation is necessary. I humbly beg to disagree and wish to suggest that an introspection be done for three lives were lost unnecessarily. I shall not recapitulate the incident for too much of it has been written. What I would say though is that the Intelligence Corp must not be used to do the work of the Police Special Branch. It can cause disaffection and demoralize the members of the Special Branch.
3. The recent matter about the CEO (Ag) of GPL not being disciplined or investigated when he inappropriately communicated with a bidder for the procurement of pre-paid meters – Mr. President, this matter deserves more stringent action which will support the pledge made by you to eradicate corruption. Mr. President, how can such a matter be just swept away as if nothing wrong was done? Perception is everything and I perceive that this person is being treated with kid gloves for some reason. He needs to be disciplined condignly after a transparent investigation is done. I am also perturbed that the issue of this person’s qualifications remains unresolved. Can we put this matter to rest by you asking the subject minister to instruct this person to make public his qualifications? It must be done to satisfy myself and others who need to know that we have competent, qualified and experienced persons running our Corporations and other agencies. No more square pegs in round holes. Please Mr. President, I beg of you to have these matters resolved in a proper manner.
Mr. President, listening to the people must guide your decision making for you are placed in your office by us to do the best for us. Please don’t fail us. It is a pity that our media rarely do surveys or polls for I am sure if a poll is done on the issues I raised here I am sure that the returns would support what I have said; especially in the matter concerning Minister Broomes. She needs her own ministry Mr. President. May God Bless you and in parting, I wish to repeat – please listen to the people and forget politics.
 John London.

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