Dear Editor,
I FOUND it quite interesting to observe on the April 7, 2020 edition of the Prime News in which Mr. George Gomes lashed out at the eloquent and dynamic Private Sector Commission, of which Captain Gerry Gouveia is the current Chairman, and, in my opinion, an exceptional Chairman and dedicated son of the soil of Guyana.

I wish to state that any member who belongs to an umbrella body can be quoted, to my opinion, in any release or letter sent out by said umbrella body. One cannot call and ask every organisation their permission on a matter of importance, nor can one call and ask every member within an organisational structure such as GAPSO.

As I recall, on the commencement of GAPSO, of which, I, Roshan Khan was a Founder Member, President, Secretary, and Treasurer, one of the aims and objectives was to respect the law and order and the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. As a member of the Private Sector Commission, GAPSO falls under that umbrella body, and therefore the leaders are elected to make decisions of the organisation; very much so as when a leader is elected to run a country. In other words, they cannot seek permission from everyone!

Mr. George Gomes is out of his depth and logical reasoning, due to his political penchant and partisan personality. He seems to think that security in Guyana is owned by him, and the entire Government structure appears to be his personal property. Mr. George Gomes, the Managing Director of Kalibur Security is not the spokesperson of GAPSO as far as I know.

I recall well when Mr. George Gomes was an employee of the then COPS Security (now Senitinel Security Services), and he had to sit in a meeting that was chaired by the then President, Mr. Maurice Amres. As an employee of COPS, he thought that GAPSO was an unnecessary institution, and he made it quite clear that he believed it’s a waste of time to sit with the executives, or be a part of their association. So, from the start, it is known that he had no respect for GAPSO. However, when he launched his own security company, I was shocked when I heard he applied for membership. By this time I had started to play a lesser role in the organisation, due to the fact that one founder member was exposed in the media and courts for manipulating NIS, VAT and PAYE taxes, inclusive of corporate taxes to the tune of billions of dollars combined.

That company eventually declared bankruptcy, and just changed its name while starting all over again. But, the criminality continues! Many other apparent so-called security services are also known to be manipulators and thieves of VAT, NIS and general forms of taxes. As a result of which, I can no longer sit with such a body. Further, my understanding is that GAPSO has not paid its dues for almost a decade to the PSC, and yet out of the decency of the PSC, they are allowed to sit as a member.

Mr. George Gomes needs to display some respect for the private sector commission, bearing in mind that he is no spokesperson for GAPSO, and also to recognise the fact that Gerry Gouveia is noted as a patriot, a scholar, and an impartial personality. To lump him or any other impartial personalities with a political organisation just because they speak their minds while protesting against the lawless would be immature, unjust and obviously an attempt by GECOM to compromise the elections. Unfortunately, the gentleman is being labeled as being politically biased because of his letter, dated March 27th, 2020, that was addressed to the Inter-American Commission on Human rights.

One, as it will appears in Guyana, cannot hold to be impartial or cannot speak against injustice, or the likes of Mr. George Gomes – who think that they own Guyana and can control Guyana – will rise to control hearts, minds, and Government businesses.

Mr. George Gomes as far as I am concerned is entitled to his political choice – a prerequisite in the democratic norms to which we in Guyana subscribe. However, he should desist from speaking on behalf of GAPSO as he is neither the spokesperson nor the President.

Sincerely,
Dr. Roshan Khan, Snr.