Vice News and the Vice President – a nation searches

Jun 24, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

Guyana’s Vice President is always in the news, and usually not for inspiring developments. By itself, that says something; but, when he himself is the news that’s another bag of worms. Regard for him plummets some more, if possible, given where he already is. It is my assessment.
All reasonable, principled Guyanese would love to give the Vice President a pass. I would. Regrettably, his leadership record doesn’t settle well with me. Too much secrecy. Too many dodges, drifts, deceptions. Still, he is entitled to fair consideration, notwithstanding self-destructive instincts. Here I find myself struggling (again) as the circumstances surrounding the Su saga leaves much unanswered, and not to the Vice President’s favour.
I know about his henchmen conducting state business smartly. As examples, ‘there is plenty of business available here, but you know how it is done….’ And ‘business opportunities are there for everyone, but the game is played a certain way…’ nobody is saying a word about pay to play, or this is what it will cost to get this piece, this contract, this clearance. C’mon, we are too advanced for such crudities. Also, mention the Vice President’s name, and whatever deal it is, it is done. As I have written elsewhere, all of this could be absolutely innocent, but then again….this is clever, sophisticated, worldly Guyana, so let’s not kid each other.
Then, take a look around as I have repeatedly urged, and examine the Palace Guard (not bodyguards) that the Vice President (and President) surround themselves with in public and private sectors. Look again at the characters from whom they take party donations, and what reeks of dark money, dirty money, and blood money. That’s an open secret and lingering laff story locally. Things should fall more easily into place, dots more quickly connected.
Next, overseas bigshots get more business done on the golf course than in the boardroom. It is reality. But I have a problem-a serious one-when the business of the state is conducted in the home of the Vice President, and in this sneaky, highly suspicious manner. It just shouldn’t be. Not when our national culture and individual and leadership character are so heavily laced with the dubious, and what have damaged us. I point to how hundred million dollars plus contracts are awarded to rookies and historical failures, and the temporary agitations that they provoke. For the forgetful I remind them of how tightly the circle was around such deals as the Marriott and others of like kind. CLICO was another. Just recall what those have meant for Guyanese. To put differently, the Vice President is nobody’s fool, yet there he was fooling around in his residence with this unknown business player. He is a player, and a magically recommended one, too. Just the appearance of the thing brings recoiling, maybe in more saintly places, but not here. I add a saintlier man than the Vice President, perhaps; but he is more seasoned at how this game is played. I wonder what took hold of him that he went to this length. Must have been a real big deal.
In fairness, I have read of ‘vindicated’ and feelings of being ‘cleared’ and so forth. For a different leader, I would be tempted; one with a more enlightening record of openness and in the up and up department, just maybe. But remember leaders – who hasn’t left a legacy of thievery, there is that other nuclear issue – elections rigging. That sounds like banditry to me too. Interestingly, we work ourselves into towering rages, and dazzling claims of honesty and honour when elections are involved; yet those stop right there. Suddenly, all the money plunders don’t matter at all. I now understand why we exist in this national cesspool.
My last word on this is that the self-defenses and self-justifications of political leaders are scorned, dismissed out of hand (even by their knowing own privately). My standard is, live the life and not a finger can be pointed, not a voice raised. That’s about all.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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