Dear Editor,
THE poet Marmion once wrote, ‘oh what tangle web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’ It is with some amount of trepidation that I read with interest a missive written by the learned Anil Nandlall, former Attorney General. Mr. Nandlall has always been a stranger to the truth and has sought to, in a subtle way, dispense small doses of his poisonous cocktail to the reading public.

In his opinion piece on May 19, 2018, in the Inews edition, he attempted to identify the State Assets Recovery Agency, SARA, as one of the many ‘unruly horses’. This is so far from reality. He tries to make a case that the director and deputy are unsuited for the position; giving a myriad of misinformed reasons.

The fact of the matter is that progress has been made and is being made by the SARA, and this is according to the many media reports. Surely, this is so different from the insipid mouthing of my friend Anil. My own little research has found that this agency has its genesis through a United Nation’s Convention against corruption of which Guyana became a signatory [in] 2003 and was ratified in 2008.

Worldwide, people generally are moving to stamp out this scourge; however, Mr. Nandlall seems bent on trying to discredit the efforts of the new administration, by his attempts at sullying the character of Dr. Thomas and his deputy, Mr. Retemeyer and by extension SARA. The tactic of this attorney-at-law is nothing new, given his bedrock. What is obvious is that this gentleman will stop at nothing to spread mischief.

History has recorded him as using his then office as Attorney General to make violent threats against a media outlet; making sexual innuendoes on his uncle’s behalf to the extent that his then ministerial colleague, Ms. Priya Manickchand has been quoted as saying “I was shocked at what he said and expressed to him how offended and disappointed I was at his remarks”; utilizing state funds for family use among other infractions.

Certainly, he cannot walk in the footsteps of those that held that prestigious office, the likes of Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye, Sir Shridat Ramphal, Dr. Mohammed Shahabuddin, Bernard De Santos, to name a few. Now it’s this same person who wants to behave as messenger of truth. His track record does not speak to integrity, however, but it’s this soul that points dirty fingers at a renowned economist who now heads SARA.

The current wave in my country is that of moving to create a society free from corruption and this move must not be hindered by these pontificators; as a nation we have to guard against such moves that are inimical to the growth and development of our beautiful Guyana. I believe the current trajectory of this country makes wise that we keep focussed, not to be sidetracked easily and reject out of hand any attempt to stymie the gains made so far.

Regards
Shirool Chand