Dear Editor,
News reports on a GGMC “Management Review” appearing in the Stabroek News editions of April 5 and April 7 refer.
This letter is intended to bring to your attention the fact that the news articles which are the subjects at reference above are considered and understood by the Management of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to be derived from a “draft” document which is to receive the benefit of inputs from selected stakeholders before finalization. At no time was it understood by Management, GGMC that the said “draft” document was to be made public. Furthermore, the Management, GGMC has not communicated this “draft” report to any party for public display.
The GGMC finds it quite upsetting that sections of the said “draft” report have been published in Stabroek News without the benefit of proper review and responses being provided for the authors to consider as amendments to their work. Indeed, Management GGMC has identified several points in the “draft” where inaccuracies are evident, insensitivities are present and unwarranted, and where there has been broad licence to make erroneous inferences.
Management of GGMC has no objection to a review of management systems with a view to strengthening them where they are deficient. Unfortunately, the “draft” as it stands cannot be embraced as it ought to be, since corrections, editing and such have to be done throughout. Consequently, the GGMC would expect Stabroek News to avoid referencing the issues in the “draft” which as aforementioned is riddled with inaccuracies; to respect the intention that the “draft” document is not to be paraded in public; and to avoid speculation which has its roots in the “draft” document.
Discretion by Stabroek News in this regard, would be welcome.
Yours faithfully,
Rickford Vieira
Commissioner
