Defending Colvin Heath-London

Nov 12, 2020 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – As a citizen of this country alone, I have many concerns that much to be addressed and make known, but all cannot be covered in one missive.
I do believe several of which should be known now and moreover, a response must be provided.
One such response is to what a friend alluded my attention to. It was an interview several weeks ago with the Guyanese Critic, the self-proclaimed number one journalist and the Vice-President “Honourable Bharrat Jadgeo”, where he alluded to me making the issue of budgetary allocations to the failed, defunct, cash-cow GuySuCo cooperation, to be about race.
Mr. Editor, nothing can be further from the truth.
Mr. Editor, I usually don’t waste my time to look nor listen to the ‘Guyanese Critic’, a man I considered to be a prolific palooka individual.
On this instance, however, I did summon the courage to look and listen to this disaster of a clown show.
From the outset it was quite evident, that the interviewer was grossly out matched intellectually by his guest who clearly recognised the man’s acute limitations and capitalised on using his platform to proselytize to his audience, his narrative, despite how factually deficient it was.
No fact check, no countering questions or even statements to refute some of what was being said was forthcoming from the number one journalist (Critic).
No questions asked that the public would have liked to be answered…no critique or comparative analysis of what was being discussed. Nothing of substance from such a critical interviewing opportunity for the “journalist”.
The fact of the matter is, despite the valiant efforts by Mr. Jadgeo to camouflage that he is not the power behind the scene of the presidency of this installed PPP/C government by fraudulent votes, it was quite obvious he was.
In less than 100 days in office, the firing of almost 800 Guyanese men and women, Indigenous peoples, East Indian and of course an incomparable number of African Guyanese, establishes my point.
Mr. Editor, the most recent firing of one of Guyana’s most consummate professional with international repute, Colvin Heat-London, former CEO of NICIL, is another glaring example of the government’s act of political witch hunting and ethnic cleansing, aimed at tarnishing the good reputation of African, Indigenous and East Indian Guyanese professionals whom they deemed were aligned to the Coalition administration.
Mr. Colvin Heat-London brought to NICIL a background of international experience versed in the art of modern management techniques that were required to address the many woes of a cash-strapped, bankrupt state entity.
The government’s political witch hunting and public relations stunts to justify their discriminatory and career ruining reputation of this professional black Guyanese leaves much to be desired.
Mr. Heath-London has prudently managed the affairs of NICIL since taking office in November 2018 and has transferred it up until him being the latest victim of this racist and vindictive regime. The gentleman has left the finances at USD 1.9M and $600M.
Mr. Editor, despite the notorious un-substantiated claims and accusations of the now judge, jury and executioner, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, against Mr. Heath-London, the record shows, that the man’s actions and conduct confirmed with the law and all legal provisions and requirements at all times, especially in decision-making on behalf of the entity.
The Attorney General’s malicious and callous missive where he posits: “His actions also amount to a breach of the fiduciary duties and duty of care owed to NICIL imposed by the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 1991 and generally, warranting his immediate termination.” This is utterly outrageous and the most delusional statement coined as a termination letter.
Mr. Editor, as irrefutable facts would have it, Mr.Colvin Heath-London has outperformed his predecessors in length and width when he assumed headship of the agency, that was in financial tatters .
It was Mr. Heath-London’s management, which is the result of today- NICIL has billions in its accounts. The agency has had a positive cash flow since he took reins as CEO, which cannot be contested.
It was his negotiating skills that secured the $30 billion bond for the restructuring of GuySuCo; restoration of the famous landmark, Watooka House in Linden; converting Skeldon Estate into Skeldon Heritage Resort; the Berbice Inn, the Kwakwani State House and the Ituni Guest house into entities that have all been generating income for the State.
His other outstanding successes include securing a dividend payment of US $3M from BOSAI, and his court challenge against Hong Kong Golden Telecom (HKGT), for their failure to make good on the payment owed to the government for their purchase of 20 percent shares in Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT).
This transaction earned Guyana an extra US$7.5M, as a result of accrued interest.
NICIL, under the stewardship of Mr. Heath-London, pursued very rigid due diligence procedures and compiled a ‘Land Use Policy’. This policy document allowed for a clear alignment of the processes involved in lands under NICIL’s remit. All of these transactions were approved by NICIL’s board, not the individual being victimised and vilified by the PPP henchman.
The question is: How then can he be maligned by racists for clearly carrying out government’s policy?
The truth of the matter or the elephant in the room is that this illegally installed regime hierarchy is most upset that some of the prime state lands are in the hands of persons whom the PPP/C deemed not worthy and believed those persons and businesses supported the Coalition.
Another fact is that they are aware that those lands were lawfully acquired.
They just don’t want a certain group of people to be owners of the means of production. Be it house lot, leased land etc.
They don’t want certain people in senior positions of State-run entities and benefactors of certain State/government contracts.
One of the sad realities also that is most glaring, is the deafening silence of the so-called champions for democracy and human rights.
Where are the voices of the Rams, Nascimentos, Kissoons, the Guyana Human Rights Association, the Bar Association of Guyana, the pop up so-called independent political parties and many others? Where are these defenders of civil liberties, justice and freedom?
I refuse to believe they are hiding in the deep pockets of nefarious characters and behind the doors of State boards and political appointed positions.
When will they become the real voice against injustice, discrimination and abuse of power- when?
It has already risen its ugly head, can’t you see, can’t you speak?

Jermaine Figueira
Member of Parliament

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