What is your legacy Freddie?

Dear Editor,
I pen this letter to give additional attention to arguably one of the most known columnists in the Kaieteur newspaper, considering the fact that Stabroek newspapers does not publish my letters, I guess that’s their prerogative but I’m most grateful for the now properly-run Guyana Chronicle that provides me a space to share my views.

Like most persons in the early 2000s and as a student of the University of Guyana during those early periods, I used to frequently read Freddie’s column. I recall my UG comrades who used to laugh after the goodly gentleman pass us on the ‘catwalk’ referring to him as a “rebel without a cause”. The cause is now known, despite the weak attempts to camouflage what is very pellucid. I will address Freddie Kissoon’s attempt to deliberately mislead the public by pointing out the misinformation raised in his column August 18, 2019 which are:-the loss of jobs in the sugar industry; the President’s few press conferences, raise of pay for government ministers and Durban Park.

Losing a job can be a painful experience, and while I do sympathise with Freddie because his contract with the University of Guyana was not renewed, I can also empathise with the University of Guyana’s Board for not renewing his contract many years ago. The gross inaccuracies that Kissoon peddles in his articles might be a reflection of his teaching material. His article dated August 18, 2019 lacks depth, critical analysis, empirical data and more importantly any evidence that he did even an iota of research which is usually a constant feature for most of his articles.

Freddie Kissoon’s writing style and his daily piece can be compared to that of a gossip columnist, very informal, erratic, satire, a mere opinion piece, sprinkled with sensationalism, bitterness and a vendetta inspired by the loss of his job almost six years ago, (by the PPP/C, but get over it) coupled with an entitlement mentality for something that he in his mind believes should have been given to him for “all” he did but wasn’t. His writing is accusatory and defamatory in nature as he spreads innuendos and constantly nitpicks at any government official he wants to target.

I need to know has this man served Guyana outside of his job? Has he ever put himself up to serve via the polls? What can he attribute to what he has done to positively impact Guyanese and this country of which he is so critical? He criticises those who serve but he has never served Guyana in any political capacity? He appears to be a confused individual, a ‘wanna-be’ rebel with a cause, even his disheveled outward appearance reflects his inward confusion. As a university student he studied the theoretical aspects of politics, and however, since knowledge is evolving, his knowledge today seems outdated like some of the political thinkers he frequently references from centuries ago. Freddie, like Irfaan Ali, who cannot produce his alleged qualifications, cannot point his followers to any research or articles published by him in a single academic journal. Freddie Kissoon is not an authority in the academic arena on modern-day politics. Mr. Editor it would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to provide those who took time to read Freddie’s piece that was riddled with gross inaccuracies and a very poor analysis with real facts and evidence.

The former PPP Administration was instructed by the European Union that Guyana would no longer receive preferential prices for Sugar since 2005, Jagdeo paid no heed but foolishly squandered the nation’s money, tax payers’ money by GYD$40 billion to open a new sugar factory in Skeldon Berbice in 2009. The cuts by the EU amounted to 36 per cent drop in prices and G$7B in losses for Guyana, each year. Over the years, the sugar factory’s losses are as follows: G$17.5B in 2014, G$18.1B in 2015 and G$12.1B in 2016. The sugar industry simultaneously incurred massive debts to the GRA, NIS along with regional and international banks and funding agencies, the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund Committee (SILWFC), to amounts totalling G$58B. The company also owed another US$112M/G$22.4B that was loaned to the Guyana Government for the New Skeldon Sugar Factory by the World Bank, China EXIM Bank and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Guysuco was given money to ‘bail out’ the industry’s in 2012: GYD$4B; GYD$5.4B in 2013; GYD$6B in 2014; GYD$12B in 2015 and GYD$11B in 2016, GYD$18.6B was the projected loss for 2017 for the industry’s survival. The question is: Why does Freddie and others with like thinking, wanted the government to continue funding an industry that was financially ruining the entire country? Clearly this industry was PPP/C’s political tool, a vote purchasing machine and an embezzler’s playing field, a plantation ripe for corruption. The Sugar Association of the Caribbean issued a statement through the Caribbean Media Corporation (Barbadoes Newspaper) which was carried by the Kaeiteur newspapers on August 20, 2019 which outlines that the sugar market in the entire Caribbean has been volatile since the preferential EU price cuts. Therefore, the entire sugar industry in the Caribbean has been negatively affected, not just Guyana.

Freddie stated in his article that, “[the] Prime minister or the President must talk to the nation through the media as often as possible.” Why should the President keep press conference after press conference? To please Freddie! Isn’t this done by the government’s spokesman, the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, the ministers, Members of Parliament and other government officials? Weekly press conferences are for Bharrat Jagdeo who has no portfolio, and is not task with the mandate of running a country. The University of Guyana law students whose subsidy was withdrawn from them by the former PPP administration does not want to hear another speech by his Excellency. They want assistance with their fees to attend Hugh Wooding Law School which the President has made possible, and now they are being offered full scholarships. The public servants who received salary increases and bonuses every year since APNU/AFC came to office in 2015 are happy as they have more spending power, more monies. They do not want to hear another speech.

Empty Barrels make the most noise! The President has left unnecessary talking to Bharrat Jagdeo and his missing in action candidate. The President and the APNU/AFC Government have spoken loud by its many actions and has facilitated freedom of speech so that Freddie can babble and make a living, without feeling threatened or have feces thrown in his face and mouth as was done to him in the PPPC era. The APNU/AFC government has a developmental agenda, it has facilitated road repairs all over this country, built bridges, built new roads, renovated schools and other public buildings which is clear for all to see – does the President still need to speak? The APNU/AFC government has raised the minimum wage from GYD$39,570.00 in 2015 to GYD$64,200.00 in 2018; pension was GYD$13,125.00 in 2015, in 2019 its GYD$20,500.00 — Does the President still need to speak Freddie? People want action, not speeches and the President being the strategist that He is, is well apprised of this. It is now difficult for persons to traffic in cocaine and commit crimes without being caught, or sent to jail for possession. In 2018 Guyana ranked 93 out of 180 countries on the corruption Perception Index whereas in 2015 our rank was 119 out of 180 countries on the CPI. The President’s actions are speaking loudly but you chose not to listen. In four years, this government has spent GYD$10-$15 billion more on education than the previous government with 2019 being the highest amount so far GYD$52.2B. The CXC pass rate for 2019 is 77 per cent and Guyana performed best for the Caribbean – Does he still expect the President to give a speech for the sake of giving a speech? President Granger has allowed agencies to function independently, the CEO’s of those agencies hold numerous press conferences….Does he expect the President to speak on behalf of GPL, GWI, the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Public Infrastructure and so on? It seems obvious that Kissoon is not au fait with current management practices.

With regards to the ministers receiving a raise of salary, again he seems to despise research or is he using his column to deliberately mislead people with his penchant for duplicity? There was no 50 per cent across the board increase. Stop using the PPP/C propaganda. You are an academic who should know better. Mr. Editor, some Ministers received 50 per cent, some five per cent and some received less than five per cent. When the Granger-led administration came into office some ministers were earning around GYD$579,000 per month. The prime minister was earning GYD$1,549,389 and the Attorney General was earning $1,630,935 per month TAX FREE – Anil Nandlall was having a ball!. There was a review of the salary structure because there were anomalies. The anomalies of which he spoke were the difference in pay between the Attorney General and the other ministers, and the fact that there were now vice-presidents who would have to be paid more than the other ministers. The fact is that there had to be a salary structure between junior ministers, cabinet ministers and the vice-presidents.

Please note Mr. Editor at that time, the head of the Guyana Power and Light (in 2015) was paid over GYD$3M per month and his deputy, more than GYD$2M per month, some Guysuco managers way more. The increase in salaries for each minister of the GoG was therefore reasonable as current.

Ministers of the current government work 16 hours many days and are on call seven days a week. The raise in the ministers’ salaries was eloquently explained by Charles Griffith in the Kaieteur newspapers October 18, 2015 – Does Kissoon read the other articles in Kaeiteur newspaper or does he just write his gossip column without reading anything else? Another detailed explanation was given on the same day – October 18, 2015 in the same Kaeiteur newspapers titled “A simple explanation of the ministers’ salary increase”. As a former lecturer, doesn’t Kissoon have any appetite for learning? He could have read these two articles and probed further. Imagine the assault on our children’s education with Freddie “No Research” Kissoon being a lecturer.

Freddie claimed that “the D’Urban Park project was a total waste of money…which has no bearing on developmental programmes”. Freddie has not only limited himself to the outdated theoretical aspect of politics, but he has no appreciation for Guyana’s history and the restoration of historical sights. Where was Freddie Kissoon when D’Urban Park, was a famous race track? Does he know that in 1992 money was set aside for the clearing of D’urban Park but it never materialised simply because the PPP/C did not receive much votes from that area. Where was Freddie when Durban Park was a 10 feet high dump which was a breeding ground and habitat for snakes, rats, mosquitoes, flies and other pests? It was Doctor Luncheon who described D’Urban Park as “a pristine jungle in the heart of the city.” This health hazard and haven for pests which affected the people of Lodge, Georgetown, was located just a few yards away from the Office of the Presidency, Ministry of Health, the historical Cuffy Monument. The rebuilding of D’Urban Park was most needed and it was welcomed by the residents of Lodge and South Georgetown who utilise the park for exercise classes, religious, national and cultural activities. It is a breath of fresh air to the residents of Georgetown, especially residents of Lodge, who no longer have to chase pests, and for the children who now enjoy a clean ‘green’ space to play cricket and football to name a few.

Between December 2018 and August 2019, Freddie claimed that Granger demonstrated no leadership, yet still we are being praised by reputable organisations around the Region and globe for our progress as a country under the leadership of President David Granger. The Caribbean Development Bank posited that Guyana is the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean and every industry is running smoothly in the country despite Jagdeo’s failed efforts to create instability. What is your legacy Freddie, could you host a press conference and inform the nation.

Regards
Jermaine Figueira
Member of Parliament
Region 10

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