The government cannot afford to be weak on corruption

Apr 11, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

The management of critical growth sectors (infrastructure / construction, electricity and housing) of the economy is proving to be subpar at best. Evidence of corruption is also coming to the surface in other sectors such as healthcare and oil & gas. Management of the procurement and audit processes is waiting.

These problems have left the government with high expenditures and little to show for it. This past week the nightly news showed a project undertaken by the Ministry of Housing that was delayed, where water pipes were being overgrown by grass and the objective was to provide standpipes to residents of the area. The amount of pipe was clearly insufficient and the objective was on a level of third world development from decades ago. The news also covered the continual problem of delayed infrastructure projects and the loss of pharmaceutical funds. These are just a few of the numerous examples of mismanagement coming to the service.

The government knows that they cannot develop faster than what their capabilities and those of the nation will allow, yet there is an unsustainable push to accelerate the pace of development and transformation. The overage costs associated with this unsustainable pace of development has resulted in raised voices highlighting concerns of poor management and increasing corruption. Those without strong management backgrounds have been given key management positions that have unfortunately brought to the surface their ineptitude to effectively manage large projects and major organizations. Lack of upper management experience has also resulted in fundamental mistakes being made that have embarrassed lower level managers in front of their workers. Further reducing their effectiveness to get things done. We must as a nation return to a time when qualifications and experience matter. Placing those who are clearly unqualified and inexperienced in key positions will continue to hamper the government in its quest for transformational development.

The government can no longer afford to be weak on mismanagement and corruption. Waste of our limited resources and increased risk to future sustainable development will be the end result if an urgent change doesn’t occur. The recent review by the UN and the ongoing probe into corruption has placed the government’s future election prospects at risk. The ongoing excessive risk exposure in the oil sector has also raised eyebrows and attracted anti-corruption concerns. The Ali Administration must make the necessary adjustments to pivot to a stronger anti-corruption agenda. This may include a cabinet reshuffle and a deeper investigation into corruption at key ministries. With the increasing scrutiny of the government by external agencies due to serious global security concerns, and given our complex history with the CIA, it is imperative for the future electoral success of the PPP that they quickly and effectively clean up their act. Otherwise, the PNC and their allies may once again be the go to option for the US.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jamil Changlee

Chairman

The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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Construction, corruption, Electricity, Infrastructure, Mr. Jamil Changlee

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