The Guyanese government’s plans often appear well-intentioned to the uninitiated, yet lack critical analysis and expert oversight. These proposals frequently echo within a closed circle, seemingly approved without challenge by former president Jagdeo and his advisors. The latest initiative – injecting “project teams” into the already complex procurement process – exemplifies bureaucratic inefficiency and a concerning lack of understanding of organizational effectiveness.
This move further complicates a system already riddled with corruption, where contracts are awarded to unqualified individuals with political ties. Adding these teams is akin to pouring gasoline on a raging fire of mismanagement. Billions have been wasted, and the Guyanese people now bear the burden of this farcical attempt at governance. Who will dare to speak the truth: that contractors should be chosen based on merit and experience, not political affiliation?
Former Mayor Hamilton Green’s recent rebuke in his letter to the editor echoes the sentiments of many disillusioned citizens. His scathing critique of the government’s incompetence hits the mark with surgical precision. The establishment of these project units, purportedly to evaluate contract execution, is a slap in the face to every Guyanese who yearns for accountable and efficient governance. It’s a tragic comedy of errors orchestrated by leaders either grossly incompetent or willfully ignorant of the principles of effective governance.
Green’s lamentation over the absence of necessary skills and oversight in infrastructure projects strikes at the heart of the issue. Without the technical expertise and managerial acumen to oversee these endeavors, the result is nothing short of a colossal waste of resources. One does not have to be a genius to understand that competent professionals will project success through meticulous planning and execution. What obtains today is simply tragic.
The insult to the intelligence of Guyanese citizens cannot be overstated. President Irfaan Ali and his cohorts seem to regard their constituents as mere pawns in a game of political chess, expendable in their quest for power and enrichment. The establishment of these units smacks of desperation, a feeble attempt to paper over the cracks of a system rotten to its core. The government’s penchant for sidestepping accountability must be met with unwavering resolve from the people. As Green aptly notes, it’s the duty of this generation to speak up and demand better. The pen, indeed, must wield its might against the sword of tyranny and incompetence.
The recent pronouncements from Attorney General Anil Nandlall and President Ali only serve to underscore the folly of their actions. Their promises of swift action against delinquent contractors ring hollow in the ears of a populace weary from years of empty rhetoric. What is even more alarming is that more than 50% of the contractors who continue to be awarded projects have incomplete, unacceptable or under-resourced work already in their pipeline.
A recent Stabroek News editorial highlighted the lack of an Engineer’s Act, which they argue further exacerbates the sorun. This absence allows unqualified individuals to exploit the system, jeopardizing public safety and responsible use of taxpayer funds.
However, simply enacting policy isn’t enough to curb this colossal waste. The PPP’s (People’s Progressive Party) disregard for the constitution on a daily basis demonstrates the need for stricter enforcement mechanisms, one enforced by the people of Guyana, alongside any new legislation. Essentially, those who engage in government corruption must be voted out.
Guyanese citizens must remain vigilant and vocal in their opposition to this farce. The media, as the custodian of truth and transparency, must continue to shine a spotlight on government malfeasance and hold those in power accountable. The future of Guyana hangs in the balance, and it’s up to each and every one of us to ensure that it’s not squandered by the folly of our leaders.