Lorenzo Joseph’s World of Oblivion

Sep 06, 2026 Letters

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Dear Editor,

There is a ‘saturation of silliness and ignorance’ in the letter, “When Compassion Becomes Political Ammunition: President Ali Owes Guyanese an Explanation.” (KNews-Sep 03, 2026). The desipience from the Lorenzo Joseph is quite risible, as he sought to asseverate that “President Irfaan Ali’s remarks were ‘deeply troubling’ and, quite frankly, beneath the office of the President.”

The letter is analogous to the writer, that is, ‘lacking in substance’ and ‘betraying ignorance’ of what obtains when crisis of the Barima types occurs anywhere in the world.

First, when anything of a national scale occurs, it is imperative that all help be coordinated via a single channel. It is not rocket science too. harum-scarum must be pre-empted instantly. It is not difficult to picture that when we have multiple aid sources pouring in, independently, there must be a ‘centralised coordination’ of all of these inputs. If not, we create another problem, that of ignoring simple logistics, where we do not know who, what and where of what is going on. This can lead to ‘surfeit in’ or ‘lack of’ things like immediacy, urgency and adequacy of response and best use of efforts and resources.

Yes, the offering of aid is natural and commendable, but all of these must be directed to that unit, in this case, the People’s Progressive Party Government, to disburse, whether at the time of the crisis, or its aftermath.

I am thinking of the recent disaster in Venezuela. Imagine if all the countries had responded with rapid spontaneity at their own whims and fancies. The result would have been another catastrophe leading to bottle necks at the airports, water ways and roadways.

Localise this and think of the recue works during the Barima situation. Without directives from a central port of authority, there would have been nothing but pure chaos-running around randomly, re-disbursing after colliding in a specific place, and misbalancing and inappropriateness of personnel, etc.

I reiterate that when a national mishap occurs, there is no place for improper distribution of manpower and equipment, unmonitored and inequitable distribution of help and helpers, and no chance-taking with such things as duplication or neglect. We cannot and never should have competing teams vying to help if we are truly philanthropic. However, if we are political opportunists and we are looking for points and pictures, we will go in with a ‘fish market’ culture, and this was what WIN was about.

Secondly, let us be reminded that President Irfan Ali, and by extension the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government did not at any time hinder nor block any private citizen, opposition members, or independent groups from providing aid or relief to the families affected by the MV Barima disaster. They simply outlined how this must be done. And this is standard procedure.

I vividly recall that the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, iterating the Government’s position and call, explaining that that “… relief work and donations from public and private entities are welcome, (but) stating that ‘administrative processes or security checks on transport vessels are standard regulatory measures.”

If WIN, We Invest in Nationhood Party wanted to help in a self-less manner, and saw humanity and not politics, they could have supported the PPP Government. The avenue was created and still exists to do so.

President Ali boldly and quickly announced the HEART Initiative, (Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust) and WIN’s mobilisation and resources would have been welcomed.

I dare say that to by-pass human suffering and seek to be opportunistic is quite nasty. Its shows ulterior motive. This is not a case of the President’s describing people who were and are taking assistance to families of Barima as “wolves”. The President was alerting the general public to WIN’s attempt to turn human suffering into a political battlefield. He, the President, was not doing it.

Then on the flip side, I want people to reflect on what WIN and company did during and immediately after the disaster, even as the tragedy was being addressed.

Editor, the WIN party did not focus on the disaster but ranted about the PPP’s leadership quality and their ‘supposed’ errant ministers. WIN retaliated with the “HERO” donation drive, travelling clandestinely to heavily affected Indigenous communities like Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to distribute hampers and financial aid directly. They had a mission to create the impression that PPP and their forces were not ‘up to the job.’

Then look at their ‘smear campaign’ and this went into overdrive, as they started their mis-information canvassing regarding very unverified claims regarding things like vessel faults, such as failing and faulty mechanics, an inoperable engine, expired life rafts, and broken radar systems.

I mean rescue operations were still active, yet there were almost violent demands for resignations from Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar. WIN, alongside the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), went as far as drafting a formal No-Confidence Motion against the ministers, accusing them of undermining public trust.

However, and this Lorenzo must absorb, that ‘fearing nothing and no one,’ President Ali established an independent and internationally flavoured Commission of Inquiry. However, WIN and cohorts rejected it, calling it a “unilateral” and ‘partisan’ move.

Lorenzo Joseph ‘knows not’ and he ‘knows not’ that he does not know.

Yours truly,

Hargesh B. Singh

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• Hargesh B. Singh, Letters, Lorenzo Joseph, World of Oblivion

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