Dear Editor,
Two news developments caught the eye. Since both span the whole works, viz. from paper to program to people, then this country could register some stellar returns. But do we have the latter, meaning the people? The second question is, do we – leaders, participants, and overwhelming majority of citizens – really want what is said to be intended, what is publicized with pomp and flash? My thoughts come first, with my position following.
The two developments were of a 2-day session focusing on “Risk Assessment” and beefing up of the staff of SOCU. Program and paper and people could all be good, if the right stuff is present. If we are dealing with people of integrity (which we lack glaringly); with clean and honest intents (which have never been from leaders on down), with substance when it counts (where and which ones?). When these training sessions are done (positive things) and people hired at SOCU and elsewhere (meaningful with the right people), I think we could be in a good place. But only if hearts and minds are at the highest ethical summits. That is, truly drilling down diligently to what was spent, how documented, what aligned, what breached, who is directly responsible and who are the intellectual authors of malfeasances and cover-ups. Usually the latter two (foot soldiers on the ground) and authors (political conductors in conference rooms) both work with one qualification: loyalty. Trustworthy enough to look the other way. To follow orders from above. To conspire to conceal. Or, in the instance of rogue captains and corporals in the trenches, to help themselves, by bartering information for personal rewards.
Editor, we have had people like those, and the PPP leadership brought them back. There are newer ones now, hungrier for a taste of the spoils, ready to obey political masters, of which there is only one. And if anybody insists that he has a single honest bone, or one principled and patriotic vision, then I am MLK and MKG and RM (Rolihlahla) all wrapped into one perfect composite. Current Guyanese in leadership are not honourable, and the people selected are not, for the most part. I gave the president room when he spoke of transparency and accountability, but he and his Vice President have both been of nothing but dance steps since then, that would make chutney gyrators proud. Both make big speeches and then secretly sabotage their words. Worse, they carefully select men and women who will ensure that nothing is revealed. Things stay in the political, social, and biological families. I tender oil, gold smuggling, and the word games they play. They can tell that to worshipful supporters, and a submissive opposition and nation. Of course, leaders are foxy enough to have a brigade of collaborating attorneys and auditors to smooth matters over. I submit drug master plans, the reform of this and that, which cannot and will not happen without radical leadership reform first. Then, the ethical and moral may occur. But not before.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
