Dear Editor,
A standard definition of corruption is, “The misuse of government power, with which one has been entrusted or assigned, to obtain private gain;” (McConnell, Brue and Flyn, 2012). Undoubtedly, this has direct relevance to the confiscation of publicly owned assets of the Guyanese people and its clandestine transfer to a group of favoured cohorts.
How did the Guyanese people know of this multi-million dollar malfeasance? It was not the state or the private press who announced the details of the deal; but it was the Prime Minister who informed the Guyanese people of this troubling situation when he was asked the question in Parliament (SN Article, 3-16, “Frequency Allocations stir Criti-cisms”). Compounding the corruption problem further is the linkages with the Brazilian cable network project, another nefarious scheme constructed in the dark by former President Jagdeo (KN 3-19-2013, “US$35M cable from Brazil a convenience for Jagdeo’s friends”).
Going forward, two things must be done. First, Prime Minister Hinds needs to keep walking in the footsteps of the former speaker of the House and former senior PPP/C member, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran who spoke about government corruption. But talk, the best past-time in Guyana, is not enough; we need concrete action from the top to set a correction path, for Jagdeo’s path cannot be the best for Guyana. Second, we need President Ramotar to show us that he is against corruption not only in words, but by his deeds. Specifically, President Ramotar must take concrete action and revoke all the licences issued to these cohorts of former President Jagdeo with immediate effect. He must, with the approval of Parliament, appoint an effective Board with powers to approve, monitor and make changes that will benefit the Guyanese people. Separate yourself from this crime, President Ramotar, and let the sunlight in.
Yours faithfully,
C. Kenrick Hunte
