Made to see things differently

May 15, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

A friend called me out, saying I should know better, re. the Superior Concrete Inc. developments. I agree in these important areas that follow and stand corrected.
First, the reaction of the second director of the company, Mr. Richard Austin Shamlin, was in order, and for these pointed reasons. The minister of the government, who somehow found his way to, or was escalated to and engaged, for intervention in the matter had no business being there. It was not his place, and it says so much of what is wrong here, and how we go about things incorrectly and unwisely here. On second thought I have to agree. Because when I think of this, no minister, no political figure, should turn up at my premises – residential or commercial – for any official reason whatsoever. If there is a problem, and there was one with the company, then the professional bureaucrats must be the ones to run with that, and take it as far as they are allowed to go by law, rule, and regulation. After those avenues are explored in a series of escalating steps, then the next steps contemplated and put into action, must be to the courts, and then with a plea for the appropriate ‘Cease and Desist’ with process norms followed expeditiously, but faithfully. If and when that fails, then an appeal has to be made for next actions in the escalation chain to follow. I like that and agree completely.
Editor, what has taken root in this society is that, and far too frequently, senior public servants reach for the political spearhead, namely, the minister, sometimes even the president himself. This is now culture. And, just recently, the president himself almost overnight rushed forward to entangle himself in the matter of GUYOIL and alleged corruptions there. He should be aware, but remain above and outside the fray. The bureaucrats and board of that agency are responsible, and must have the wherewithal, to stand on their own feet, think on them, and make their own decisions. Ministers are there for consultations, not for directions. And certainly not for personal and public physical interventions. We have to make a start somewhere put an end to this mentality (and culture) about involving ministers specifically, or politicians in general, to do the work of public servants.
This does not speak well of the calibre of the public servants in place, or the all too ready eagerness of ministers (and head of state) to pounce or pronounce on the daily challenges that are part of professional life. It does not speak glowingly of citizens who, for something as mundane as a birth certificate, dial a minister of government to crack the whip, so to speak. For their part, ministers and senior political leaders, have to give room, challenge, urge, and empower public servants to do their job, and without fear or fealty considered. Public servants must feed off of that, and go from there. This is better. I correct myself.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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