Collateral damage to the charlatans who enjoy and abuse power

Jul 30, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have kept some notes on two matters that have their genesis in the PPP’s reign. Every time I stroll through my note book and look at these notes they always induce a feeling of eye watering pity. I hope the penning of a few lines on the matters of Maurice Arjoon who claimed that he was framed for refusing to lend two billion dollars to the Government of Jagdeo for construction of the Berbice Bridge in 2006 and Freddie Kissoon who’s service at the University of Guyana was terminated prematurely on January 18 -2012 five months before the would have ended would give me some solace.
The charges against Arjoon and his compatriots were dropped years ago and his lawsuit against NBS finally resulted in a Judge awarding him some 69 million dollars a week ago. I think he deserve every cent of the original 550 million he has initially asked for. The matters of Arjoon and Freddie Kissoon had been regurgitated in the media from all angles for years to such an extent that even the casual reader could have given a verdict. Yet throughout the years I had not seen a single article in the news or heard a voice of solidarity crying out for justice for Arjoon or FK; not from working professionals; not from the luminaries in society; not from trade unions or civic society. It seems that when matters of justice become intricately involved with politics our most profound response is to stop being our brother’s keeper.
Our constitution is enshrined with an office called the Ombudsman who is chosen by government and it is a constitutional office. The Ombudsman is responsible for representing the public by investigating or addressing complaints of mal-administration or violation of rights of citizens by Government; also to identify systemic issues leading to poor services or breach of people’s rights. Freddie Kissoon’s complaint was taken to the Ombudsman. Judge Winston Moore whom upon investigation issued a report, citing that a grave injustice was done to FK and recommend that FK should be compensated.
The Ombudsman is not in the “fit and proper” category. He was a learned Judge. Yet I have not seen or heard a single comment for the Judge’s findings and recommendation to be expedited. One of Guyana’s top luminaries, Dr. Clive Thomas said “If no action is taken on the reports of the Ombudsman, then what is the purpose of having one?”
We dishonor our constitution when we allow governments to ignore the decisions of safeguard mechanisms like the Ombudsman’s office. When we do not condemn an act of repression unleashed by a government on a citizen, we open the door for repression on all citizens. Where are the voices of solidarity – calling for FK to be compensated for the injustice done to him by the PPP/C government?
There are supporters of the PPP who will not in their lifetime acknowledge or confess to a single fault of the PPP. Likewise the same goes for some APNU/AFC supporters. They are the “diehards”. Sadly! They constitute a large segment of the population; they are allergic to any form of mental makeover; to these people truth can only come from the mouths of their political leaders.
To this lot of PPP supporters no amount of logical reasoning will change their belief that FK is a villain who got what he deserved at the hands of the PPP. To the APNU+AFC diehards Freddie was a good man in the days of the PPP now turned villain for exposing the flaws of the Coalition. The fact that FK cannot be seen for what he is – an intellectual activist for truth, rights and justice by a larger segment of Guyana’s population, does not auger well for the social, moral and political enlightenment of our country.
Sorry! I am wrong. There was Nagamotoo giving off a tear for the need for Maurice Arjoon to receive swift justice in parliament. Albeit! Those tears were crocodilian in nature since the date for ruling by the Judge was already set and he made no mention of FK’s compensation as was directed by the Ombudsman. This is testimony that the Coalition has no intention to address the matter of compensation for Fredrick Kissoon for the second time FK has become collateral damage for the charlatans for his activism.
Rudolph Singh

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