Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 10, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
Guyanese ought to know that the APNU/PNC/AFC Government stifled democracy when it signed a contract with EXXON Mobil but showed resistance to disclosing its details. Such abuse of power enables government to evade accountability. What else? Like most Guyanese, I am befuddled why this contract is not available through The Freedom of Information Act. Government’s dysfunctional decision is unsurprising. And it is one in which dishonesty, arrogance and authoritarian sentiments factored in heavily. A review of a series of questions arising exclusively from government’s reprehensible track record reveals why it is necessary that government must disclose the full details of this contract.
First, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it abused over 3 billion from the contingency funds? Second, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it purchased a whopping 1.6 billion in pharmaceutical supplies in 2016 without tender? Third, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it purchased another 605 million in drugs without tender from ANSA Mcal? Fourth, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it awarded hush-hush scholarships exclusively to its ministers and to its military friends while our youths live in despair? Fifth, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it uses scarce dollars from a 14% VAT on education to rent a useless bottom house drug bond from an alleged political donor for at least 12.5 million per month?
Sixth, how can any Guyanese trust this government when one of its vindictive ministers was caught up in an ugly street brawl? Seventh, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it abuses its powers to silence citizens? Last but not least, how can any Guyanese trust this government when it selfishly awarded itself a whopping 50% salary increase but gave the working poor a meager increase of only 5%? It is difficult to comprehend Government’s cruelty when Guyana stands as one of three countries in the world with the highest suicide rate.
Government needs to release the full details of this contract amid its moral shortcomings and mental anguish in this country. Another review of government’s notorious track record makes a compelling case why government needs to disclose the oil contract in its entirety. Editor, how can any Guyanese trust this government when its hiring practices are nepotistic?
To this end, government needs to release the full details of this contract. This contract belongs to every Guyanese, not a selected few. Yet another review of government’s diabolical track record reveals that government is two faced and has an affinity for double standards. We all know that when government was in the opposition it vigorously and compulsively fought against lack of transparency and authoritarianism, etc. Today, government revels in such flaws. For example, government’s failure to disclose the full details of the EXXON Mobile contract is a clear case of a lack of transparency.
Also, government’s repeated rejection of qualified candidates for the GECOM chairmanship is a clear case demonstrating that government has no regards for democracy. As a matter of fact, government’s insanity pertaining to the GECOM saga fuels widespread speculation that government plans to undemocratically appoint one of its political supporters. Government is obviously harassing the leader of the opposition to get its way.
Guyanese need to reject government’s nonsense. Clearly, government’s lack of consistency, credibility and unethical standing render it untrustworthy. Further, social cohesion can never foster under this government who lacks transparency, accountability and integrity. This contract belongs to every Guyanese, not government. Government must release it in its entirety.
Moreover, government needs to drop its absurdity. EXXON Mobil will never drill in disputed waters. This is not how EXXON Mobil operates. Government’s contention that if this contract is made public it will cause disputes is simply deceit to evade accountability. Government’s behaviour is powered by dysfunction. The citizens of this country will not buy any fiction from Mr Trotman. Guyanese cannot afford to swallow anymore lies from this government. Government needs to release the full details of this contract. Editor, how can there be any incentives to keep such a dysfunctional government in power? Absolutely, there are none. But countless incentives abound when power is stripped away from such a destructive government. And this we need to do for the betterment of our country and its people.
Annie Baliram
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