The concept of development based on defensible analysis is missing in so many instances

Sep 20, 2019 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

The failure of the Kitty Roundabout is further confirmation of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) and by extension, Minister David Patterson’s, inability to effectively manage infrastructure development projects in Guyana.
This is confirmed by the ongoing fiasco at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the debacle of Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue rehabilitation and works on the dual carriageway on the East Coast of Demerara.
Under the guidance of Minister Patterson there has been an escalation in costs of the new Diamond-Ogle roadway from US$50 million to US$175 million. No explanation has been provided to taxpayers for the more than three-fold increase in costs.
There is a misconception in Guyana, created by the MoPI, that these failures and problems are the responsibility of the contractor. This confirms the MoPI’s inability to understand the Quality Assurance/Quality Control aspect of infrastructure project execution.
The contractor builds based on designs approved by the MoPI. The MoPI provides quality assurance and quality control services on these projects and approves the works of the contractor. Failures after approval and acceptance of the works by the MoPI, are consequently failures of the MoPI and by extension Minister Patterson, and not the contractor.
Minister Patterson and the MoPI’s missteps reflect the attitude of AFC members of the APNU/AFC coalition. In a similar vein, the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, took upon himself the responsibility of signing a contract for the development of the oil and gas sector in Guyana.
Minister Trotman failed to ring fence the contract around the exploration and development of singular wells. It is small wonder that the International Monetary Fund now recognises that the development of Liza 1 and 2 will provide very little returns to Guyana. In a similar vein, Minister Trotman has sought to transfer blame to GGMC for his failure.
Failure of the AFC clan is further confirmed by the inability of Minister Holder to request the head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board, Mr. Frederick Flatts, to provide technically defensible reasons for the over design of several pump stations.
Mr. Flatts’ excuse, to the taxpayer, that the pile costs was a mere $5 million more, fails to comprehend that there are additional costs associated with the construction methodology and increased inconvenience to the taxpayers.
Further, Minister Holder and Mr. Flatts fail to recognize that the exact funds could have been better utilised paying teachers and nurses, the backbone of a developing country.
We are daily bombarded by pronouncements coming from GO-Invest and by extension the Ministry of Business.
None of these pronouncements bear any resemblance to reality. The concept of development based on defensible analysis is missing from all announcements. GO-Invest and by extension the Ministry of Business, seem dead set on accepting any development, regardless of its outcome.
GO-Invest should recall that there was a concept to import hazardous waste into Guyana in 1988. That concept was similarly endorsed by the then Government.
I worked along with Winston King and others to reverse that agreement. The consequences of that undertaking would have created significant issues for Guyana today. The attitude of GO-Invest confirms its failure to advance beyond the thought process of 1988 in the 21st century.
I recommend the AFC clan, guided by Shaggy’s refrain “it wasn’t me”, to examine the functioning of the Ministry of Communities. That ministry has quietly undertaken the effective management of the Haags Bosch landfill and mitigated issues inherited from the pre-2015 administration.
In a similar vein, the Ministry of Communities has quietly upgraded their standards to ensure technical sound design of infrastructure facilities in existing and emerging areas. The stellar performer in the Ministry of Communities is Guyana Water Inc. The taxpayer has seen increased access to potable water by many formerly unserved communities at lower costs, despite inflation.
The Ministry of Finance is strongly advised to critically examine requests for infrastructure development from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Ministry of Agriculture, given their continued inability to optimise the resources provided. These resources, better expended on education and health, will ensure that Guyana develops a healthy cadre of well-educated, professional and technically sound people, who unlike the AFC clique, are professional enough to accept both the praise and criticism of the actions.
The APNU should similarly examine the role the AFC should play if a coalition is the option to advance Guyana moving forward. APNU is further advised to recognise that Guyana is best developed by utilisation of proven expertise not political affiliation.
Very Truly Yours
Charles P Ceres
Retired Person

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