The whole truth?

Dear Editor,

A week ago, I asked the CEO of Sithe Global some rather straightforward questions (‘Some questions for Bruce Wrobel‘ SN, January 29).  To date, no answers have been forthcoming.

It could be that Mr Wrobel does not read the Guyanese dailies, or is still in the process of gathering the facts and ‘lining up his ducks,’ or is too busy to respond, or has very limited interest in any kind of response to queries from lowly citizens.  It, also, could be likely that Mr Wrobel is pondering carefully what his response – if there is going to be one – should be.  Whatever the reason(s) for the lack of a response from Mr Wrobel (and Sithe Global), this taxpayer and shareholder in the Guyana promise and destiny, now expresses not only his disappointment, but where his thoughts lead.

Today, I am drifting towards the inclination that the explanations tendered about commodities and currencies might not be the primary – and pivotal – detonators of the original contract figures.  Let it be said again: there is no dispute that commodity prices have risen steeply in the last several years, and that the movement of relevant currencies has been unfavourable.  But in the face of ongoing silence before a few simple questions presented to the CEO, the recent public pronouncements (explanations) can only be seen as carefully orchestrated media pageantry.  There is the growing belief that manufactured truths may have been extended, within the convenience and reality of marketplace conditions.  But which conditions and environment may have had a limited impact on the continually escalating contract price.  A very limited impact.  Accordingly, I say this clearly: unless, Sithe Global produces follow-up details or evidence to the contrary, then this business of commodities and currency is of questionable relevance, and one slick, calculated subterfuge.

If all of this is indeed so, then Guyanese are once again being dismissed as fools, treated accordingly, and taken for a ride.  Only this time, the cast of characters does not involve corrupt local political panjandrums, but when subjected to critical scrutiny, condescending, contemptuous outsiders.

Having said all of this, I am still prepared to give Sithe Global and its captains the benefit of the doubt, as to the real and substantive reasons for the contract price escalations.  But the silence must be broken; the suspicion must be banished that information and postures were designed to be misleading; and the opportunity must be seized to introduce corroborative details more aligned with truth and accuracy.  One would think that the CEO of the recipient firm in an US$840 million contract would be prompted to say something to Guyanese searching for answers.

By now, thinking Guyanese are well aware that ours is a society immersed in, and warped by, secrecy.  It is where issues involving public figures (duty free consignments) and public entities (GuySuCo) are barricaded and obscured behind a wall of privacy; the paying public has no right to know – almost anything of substance is off limits and for certain eyes only.  Thus it was that the “explanations” from Mr Wrobel and Sithe Global were welcomed as the first flickers of a dawning light; it was believed that all the high handed (and lowdown) asininity that graced this project would cease.  It was a faint hope, which now retreats with increasing momentum.  Again, I will not go so far as to say that the explanations are not truthful; only that they may not represent the whole truth; and words like “disingenuous” and “subterfuge” creep into ruminations.

It is for all of the foregoing reasons that I call out the CEO, fully aware that I am putting him on the spot.  Let us see what happens.

Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall