President’s defence of Kares contract is troubling

Dear Editor,

Those who question the contention by many that Guyana is drifting towards being an economically unjust state should note the critique by former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran and the defence of the award of the contract to Kares for the construction of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School.

President Ali, instead of taking into account Kares’ dismal record with respect to the contract for the building of the Kato School in the North Pakaraima, and ignoring the fact that Kares was proposed to be blacklisted in 2017, has jumped to defend the award to this contractor. Guyana is a small society and we know who is who and when the Head of State fails to distance himself from what appears to be skullduggery and improper function of the Procurement Committee, we are in trouble.

In a polarized society, saying that Cabinet approval is a mere formality but really meaningless. Did President Ali read the well-researched editorials on the award of this contract? Did he question those who made the recommendation for the award to Kares? Since this last statement by the President means that the contract to Kares’ is fait accompli, I call upon the Opposition Leaders, parents and teachers to every day examine the work that would be done by Kares on the school so that the friends of the ruling oligarchy do not get away with another substandard work and materials, that the children who attend that school must have to live with.

I say to unjust Guyana, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. The essence of injustice is a denial of our rights and freedom as a people.

Sincerely,

Hamilton Green

Elder