I WISH to refer to the Editorial in yesterday’s (2011-03-10) edition of Stabroek News under the caption ‘Time’, in which  comments were made  on the concerns raised by Mr.  Vanrick Beresford in a letter published last Monday in connection with the launching of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB).
Particular mention was made of the fact that His Excellency President Jagdeo did not apologise “for his tardiness”.  As the Chairperson for the launching ceremony, I did mention that His Excellency had been unavoidably delayed.
However, when the President arrived, he made it quite clear that  he was prepared and ready for the launching ceremony at 15:00 hrs (3 pm), the scheduled time. In fact, His Excellency stated quite unequivocally that after he had called the minister at 3 pm, and then again at 3:20 pm, he had to readjust his schedule because most of the invitees were late and, as a consequence, he was advised that the launching ceremony would be delayed.
It would be recalled that the President chided those who were late, particularly ‘men’, since it set a poor example for those who are expected to be leaders in their families, etc.  I am surprised that all of this was missed by (the Stabroek News) reporter.
I therefore write to express my profound disappointment that, while your editorial did seek to highlight the problem of tardiness in our society,  it failed to correct the inaccuracies surrounding the time that the President arrived for the launching of the Men’s Affairs Bureau.