Giving advice to some of our political leaders is considered criticism

Feb 21, 2022 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I know that the national tender board evaluates tenders; however, my concern is who evaluates the proposals and letters of interest and shortlist those who have submitted. I have had the experience in the past where with regard the solar project in Bartica where I believed companies with high capabilities and access to finance were not shortlisted. It is possible at this stage to shut out good people to create an ineffective list thus enabling certain people to possibly win at the tendering stage.
On this occasion, I was approached by one local company acting in partnership with a foreign company with very creditable project performance and with a CEO with top qualifications. The company has a history of financing projects multiple times in value to the Bartica project.
I raised my concerns with the then Minister of Infrastructure, Minister Patterson. He promised to look into it. Later, I was informed that they reviewed and came up with the same number of points. The very people who shortlisted were asked to review the proposal. Go figure.
I recall the bridge fiasco where I believe three companies were shortlisted, hope that figure is correct, and of the three, one sent in a bid. I wondered if the same thing happened. In this instance, the bid was rejected and then we heard someone went on a journey, spoke to a few companies, selected one and tried to foist that on the Guyanese taxpayers. The least he could have done was to ask the companies, which he spoke to send in proposals but even this was not done. He decided who was the best and so chose. I suppose we know of that fiasco and how much we paid.
On another occasion, I recall construction of a road in Berbice was tendered. The highest bid was about $48M. There were bids of $48M, $45M, $41M, etc., but the accepted bid was $48M. This was brought to my attention and I know I had a discussion with Peter Lewis a contractor.
I am from Berbice; I knew some of the contractors. I wrote a letter to the Procurement Commission. It was signed by I think three contractors. I took the letter in and spoke to the people at the Commission. However, the contractors backed off. They were afraid of being victimised.
This indeed is a sad state of affairs. At least we Guyanese must show some guts. Many of us risked our lives fighting against dictatorship and actually, I felt embarrassed at the cowardice of some of our people.
I was a councillor in Region 6 some time ago. I was a member of the finance committee. Since then, I have been asking this question. I have asked this question in the press and I will ask it again, now. When the engineer creates his estimate and places x amounts for mobilisation, material cost, labour, transportation, etc., how much profit for the contractor is added to the estimates. My layman’s mind suggests to me that it has to be included.
I am hoping someone can provide some guidance.
Now recently, I wrote a letter to the press and mentioned the gas-to-shore project. I mentioned from my research similar projects that the cost per mile for pipes with much larger diameters with much deeper waters and more rough waters cost far less per feet than the figures we are presently being given.
This lay person knows that the flaring is wrong and so it would be beneficial for the company to be able to utilise the gas. The pipelines are one way. We are being told that we have to pay EXXON market value for the gas. Could someone inform me if I heard correctly, Please!
I mentioned above fear by our people to speak for their rights. I say that there is this general fear. People are afraid to speak out or even to give advice as advice means criticism to our political leaders. It is a human trait but leaders should try to overcome this.
Leading persons in parties would tell me this or that but would never raise it within the parties.
Political leaders in this country, with some exceptions, love those who agree with them. So, this climate of fear is real. It is sad, not only from a human rights perspective but also because leaders would not be appraised properly as people would listen and carry out their instructions even though they know that it is not the right thing to do. That creates a level of inefficiency. It also results in the yes men being promoted into high position and thus reduced vision and creativity in the leadership of our country as they would not open their mouth to give alternative ideas.
The other sad thing is if one voices even minor criticism, immediately one is anti PPP or anti PNC. For this country to develop; for this country to utilise its best human resources, our leaders have to guard against the human trait of dealing condignly with those who dare say, I believe you are wrong”, of literally banning those who dare to criticise them.
We yearn for the day when Guyanese can speak freely, and openly of their views, of their concerns and can share their advice without fear of some reprisal.
I hope the day would come when they at least commence to listen. I did write before, when I criticised what was happening in the public about sugar, no other than the CEO called me in and we had a two-hour long discussion. Recently, I wrote asking some questions about sugar and three General managers signed a letter blasting me. We can hazard a guess who actually wrote the letter.
I wrote about the education system mentioning the poor performance in Maths and English and made some other suggestions. I was a teacher and I was Chairman of the Education Committee in Region 6 at one time. No one called me in to discuss and I cannot see nor hear any ideas coming out of the Ministry of Education that address the issues, which I raised.
Our people have to begin to understand that we elect people to serve us. They are our paid servants. They have to act in our interest, or else. Instead, we fawn upon them and throw garland around their necks as if they are deities.

Rajendra N Bisessar
BSC Sociology, LLB

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