Gross disrespect

May 09, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I refer to the article titled, “Foreign Controlled Company sets up Concrete Factory with no EPA, CHPA approval -contributes to rapid destruction of South Ruimveldt Road” (KN May 8). It was just a matter of time before something like this occurred, and now that it did, it emphasises the gross disregard for Guyana’s rules and regulations (whatever they be, and however they apply), and the much grosser disrespect for Guyanese.
The senior officers of foreign companies are no dummies; they are not operating blindly or cluelessly about the degree of laxity that prevails in both Guyana’s political and regulatory environments. They are au fait with how the PPP government has gutted, embarrassed, and almost totally neutered the Environmental Protection Agency. It is why I submit that an aggressive barracuda of a foreign company like Superior Concrete, Inc. and it is still more aggressive (overweeningly arrogant) Director, Mr. Ian Christopher Jones, could come to the firm conclusion that carte blanche has been given to do whatsoever pleases. However, such is wished to be actioned on the ground, and to hell with those ‘mud-heads’ going by the name of Guyanese, who can do nothing better than fight among themselves.
If I were Mr. Jones, I would, having surveyed the coast, done exactly the same thing. And given my ancient northern associations, I may have not just “discarded” the Order served, I may have torn it up and threw it in the face of those sorry little people, who dared to serve such an abomination to us – Superior Concrete, Inc. and interrupt the business of me, namely, said, Mr. Ian Christopher Jones. When I use certain phrases, unlike my fellow Guyanese, I know that of which I speak. And I did speak of ‘barbarians at the gates’ and ‘in the gates.’ Just ask the people of South Ruimveldt.
This is the kind of humiliation that our fearless and fulsome leaders – a president for the ages, and a Vice President who would be most at home in the Dark Ages – have by word and deed incentivised foreigner carpetbaggers and swashbuckling predators to come here, and prowl here, as they wish and without limitation. I am sure that somebody either from Superior Concrete, Inc. or some flunky from the PPP government will hasten to engage in that tried-and-true American pastime known as damage control. They will paper over and pooh, pooh that it was all an honest misunderstanding, a most unfortunate one, and that no effort will be spared to comply to the letter and spirit with local requirements. They can tell that to dumb and mentally deficient Guyanese, but I warn them not to plant that patented nonsense in my earshot.
I think that this will happen again, but in a more nuanced form. They will get top PPP leaders, those in charge of the numerous vices operative in this country to clear the way for them, and provide cover stories to protect them. Disrespect will go underground, which only makes it more dangerous.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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