GECOM takes serious umbrage to letter-writer’s rage

Feb 26, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Mr. Leon J. Suseran’s correspondence (KN and GC, 22 February, 2016) reflects an emerging trend in letter-writing which finds promotion and reproduction in newspaper columns in spite of, perhaps because of, the inherent crudeness and hostility of the missives. The fact that much of the abuse is misdirected and just plain wrong seems to matter not. Mr. Leon J. Suseran speaks of “utter disgust”, “anger”, “GECOM’s irresponsible workers”, “uncaring act”, “dastardly act by GECOM”, and so on.
Let us look at the reality associated with a “water main” which was allegedly damaged by GECOM’s workers on Friday, February 19, 2016:
1) GECOM entered into a contract with an independent Contractor who, by signed agreement, is expected to execute the definitive terms and conditions of service inherent in the contract.
2) The activities and circumstances relating to the erection of the sign, the subsequent cleaning of the area, etc, are parts of the Contractor’s remit, surely not GECOM’s. GECOM does not hire the contractor’s labour force.
3) Although it is highly likely that the contractor’s workmen were implicated in the pipe’s damage, the evidence may still only be circumstantial. Also, of course, there is nothing that can relate to any action, premeditated or otherwise, carried out by GECOM. GECOM’s staff is not involved in construction?
4) Further, what evidence is there to make Mr. Leon J. Suseran “fearful” that GECOM would be damaging the G.W.I network all over Guyana?
5) The job (erection of signs) was advertised and due process was followed, and the tender was awarded. All quite above board; all carried out also on the basis of a tested and proven track record of the contractor. Never, to GECOM’s knowledge, has the contractor ever made such an error. We are convinced that the contractor would feel badly about what happened (if indeed it was a lapse by the contractor’s employees), and that the contractor would make the appropriate apology, especially if he believes that this accident was a very singular occurrence.
The time it took Mr. Leon J. Suseran to think and report (erroneously) about the supposed dastardly and malevolent act perpetuated on the unsuspecting community by GECOM was time unproductively spent. He could have used that time to immediately call the GWI’s area manager, so that the damage could have been promptly rectified —as was done as soon as the GWI crew was informed, albeit two days later. Why did Mr. Leon J. Suseran, an experienced and knowledgeable reporter, write such an acerbic and scathing letter, clearly blaming the wrong party?I hope that the purpose of this response to Mr. Leon J. Suseran’s letter has been fulfilled, namely (i) that GECOM is not a callous entity, (ii) that GECOM hires companies after due process as stipulated in the law, and (iii) that GECOM does not involve itself in building signs, rather we prefer to help in building bridges (metaphorically speaking) which can result in the improvement of social cohesion.
Tamara Rodney
GECOM

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