Dear Editor,
I am absolutely amazed at the arrogance of the leader of our country. In an article published in the Stabroek News on May 13: ‘Avoid “cake-shop” reportage on Amaila-Jagdeo’ President Jagdeo, in referring to previous articles published in the Kaieteur News questioning the qualifications and technical expertise of Mr Makeshwar Fip Motilall and Synergy Holdings Inc to undertake the major construction of the access road for the Amaila hydro project, labelled it “cake-shop” reporting. Isn’t it ironic that the very use of the words ‘cake-shop’ reminds me of the way the country is being run.
The President has the power to stop all the speculation and investigation of Fip Motilall and Synergy, and now that we’re aware of secret negotiations with Zublin Grenada Ltd, I feel sure these investigations will continue. He has the power, but trying to discredit the work of hard-working journalists is not the way to do it.
The President was elected to serve all the people of Guyana. The taxpayers of Guyana pay his salary, his bills and those of his ministers. When the administration negotiates developmental projects, the people expect him to do so on their behalf, not his. He should use the power of the internet and the immense sources of information available to his office, to properly investigate the authenticity and history of a company or individual before committing the resources of the Guyanese people.
Apparently he has learnt nothing from his rush to appoint former and now imprisoned New York Commissioner of Police Bernard Kerik as his security advisor, despite allegations of corruption and pending felony charges by the US government, published in both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News at the time.
The problem is that President Jagdeo does not feel anyone should question his judgement. And maybe no one would have done so, had the administration been credible and transparent.
Everyone is longing to see real progress and infrastructural development; we just want all Guyanese to benefit from it, that’s all, not corrupt officials.
Thank God the independent media have been vigilant. They are doing the investigative reporting that their profession demands. If the President feels that sections of the media are “masquerading” in their quest for the “next scandal,” he shouldn’t give it to them. He could come clean with the Guyanese people and let us know what evidence can be produced to show that Synergy Holdings Inc has the technical expertise and equipment to successfully complete the project it is contracted to undertake; what similar projects have been completed by Synergy; what guarantee the taxpayers can be given that the Amaila road project would be successfully completed within the US$15 million price tag; and whether due diligence been done to determine Zublin Grenada’s ability to successfully operate a casino, considering the CEO’s civil engineering background.
Is the President impressed with the one project listed as “completed” on the website of Zublin Grenada Limited (http://www.zublingrenada.com/projects/index.html)? because from all reports, there are serious design flaws that the Grenadian people are not happy about.
In another year or so, President Jagdeo will have ended his reign as the fifth head of state since independence. Surly he must be thinking of the legacy he will leave behind and how he will be remembered. John F Kennedy once said, “The basis of effective government is public confidence,” but how can the people have confidence in their elected officials when everything they do is cloaked in secrecy? If President Jagdeo is so confident that the deals he makes with investors are all above board and will truly benefit the people of Guyana, he should not hesitate to make the details public; after all, what is there to hide?
Yours faithfully,
Harry Gill
