Dear Editor,

AT the 27th sitting of the 10th Parliament, 14 June, 2012, in addressing the speaker of the House, PPP/C Parliamentarian Dr Persaud said, “Integrity is defined as adherence to moral and ethical principles, soundness of moral character, and in one word, honesty. Today, we as Parliamentarians sit in the most august assembly in this land with the confidence reposed in us by the electorate. Guyanese of all walks of life, from the length and breadth of this country. We have the responsibility to ensure that every transaction and everything we do in this House is done with transparency and accountability. The Integrity Commission Law was given priority by the PPP/Civic Government early upon its entry into the National Assembly.”

Vice-President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, also General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), had a reasonable cause of great consternation to make reference last week to the Integrity Commission and the mandatory submission of declaration by public officials. In fact, the Bill provides for the President, all Members of Parliament, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Civil Servants, and servants to file entries of income from whatever source. This Bill brings people from various categories under the legislation and makes it mandatory for annual declarations to be filed on or before the 30th of June. That is the law. Any law-abiding Guyanese would imagine that those elected and appointed officials would want to comply with the law and do what is right as required by the country and also, to set a precedent for the other citizens to follow. Think again folks, that’s not the case in its entirety.

According to the Integrity Commission, 828 submissions are still reportedly outstanding, and this is despite a four-month extension. Dr. Jagdeo observed that this was the highest number of delinquencies over the past five years. What’s so amazing, appalling and atrocious is that, there were three years under the former PNC Government when no declarations were submitted. And yes, the PNC is talking about transparency and accountability.

Who initially hid the US$18 million bonus from Exxon from the public? Who was running on a platform of “honesty and integrity?” Who secretly signed that lopsided oil contract and refused to say who authorized its permission? Who quietly sold lands illegally and cheaply and misused the people’s money when they were functioning as “caretakers?” Who declared themselves winners on the night of March 2nd 2020 General and Regional Elections? Who went into the streets of Georgetown proclaiming victory? To date, who has failed to submit, reveal and declare the SoPs? Who campaigned that they will protect workers and then saw Guyana losing thousands of jobs in all the industries put together. Who fired over 2000 Amerindian workers? Who fooled the people in Berbice and caused over 40,000 people to be on the breadline by extension? Who closed the sugar estates, starting with Leonora in the 1980s? Who put Guyanese, young, old, weak and sick to line up for basic food items? Who froze wages in the Burnham era? Who caused a large exodus of Guyanese from all ethnicities to migrate from this land to seek shelter, happiness and peace in foreign lands? Who was responsible for burning Georgetown in the 60s? Who instigated the Wismar Massacre? Who was the architect of so many brutal murders including, Rodney, Teekah, Field-Ridley and others? Who continuously rigged elections? Who took to the streets and created mayhem, havoc, chaos and confusion to instill fear with their violence when displeased with election results? Who raped, assaulted and maimed Guyanese women of a particular ethnicity and got away with their monstrosities when they lost elections? The answer is blowing in the wind! Mr. Who is you know Who!

And the “Who” list is endless, “From Here To Eternity,” not pointing fingers but revealing and reflecting the anomalies of those knights in shining armour who defend their characters by preaching, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Those are the ones “living and enjoying the good life,” while the man in the street has to abide with the law and struggle to survive. Dr Jagdeo said “He supports any ongoing consideration by the Integrity Commissions to publish the names of defaulters.” This will lend support to transparency. Don’t hold your breath folks. The Integrity Commission also stated that there are 17 members of Parliament (MPs) who have defaulted by failing to provide their declarations. “I called Gail Teixeira [Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance] because we made it clear… she said to me that all PPP members submitted…so the 17 must be from the other side,” Dr. Jagdeo clarified.

Why is it that only the PPP/C party members know how to do the right thing? Why is it only the PPP/C party members know how to lead by example? Why is it that the Opposition cannot comply with basic requirements when they are still looked upon for guidance by a handful? Why is it the Opposition cannot for once in a lifetime advertise a clean slate? Why this double talk and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” act? Guess some things cannot change, it’s the DNA and the food for survival! Supposedly, no one goes to “Sunday School” anymore!

The PNC can never raise the flag of “Dignity, Honesty and Integrity.” They are incapable of such profound morality and lack the culpability of promulgating any honourable intention. They are quite comfortably domiciled with shame, disgrace and embarrassment. History is an experienced subject. Dr. Persaud at the 10th Parliament reminded us of a quote from Alan Simpson, “If you have integrity nothing else matters. If you do not have integrity nothing else matters.”

Yours respectfully,

Jai Lall.