Dear Editor,
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) notes with concern, indeed anger, an article published in the Guyana Times newspaper of December 28th, 2019, headlined ‘Guyana’s Govt service most corrupt in the Caribbean – IDB’.
Out of an abundance of caution the GPSU begins by wondering aloud as to whether the attribution of such a remark to the IDB is accurate. Thereafter, and assuming that the attribution is accurate, the GPSU wishes to politely enquire into the basis of the assertions since same would presumably have derived from verifiable facts which would afterwards have had to be set against identical criteria in the rest of “the Caribbean.”
From its own vantage point as an important supporter of Guyana’s development projects, the IDB would be aware of its own accountability criteria and the attendant effort that continues to be made to have its material support for local projects attended by strict compliance criteria. It would, as well, not be unaware of the very public posture taken by both His Excellency President David Granger and the Honourable Minister of Finance Winston Jordan on the issue of accountability. From our standpoint the GPSU has publicly set its face against corruption in the state sector and continues to respond thoroughly to such allegations, as and when they arise.
While we readily concede that challenges persist in this regard we believe that such assertions as are made in the aforementioned article are altogether without verifiable basis. If indeed such reckless and unproven remarks are indeed attributable to the IDB, then we respectfully submit that a withdrawal of same attended by a public apology are in order and should be issued with due haste.
The Union seeks the cooperation of the IDB in making available a copy of the Report of the survey purportedly conducted. Further, the GPSU would formally write the IDB on the matter.
Yours faithfully,
Dawn Gardener
1st Vice President
GPSU
