Dear Editor
Now that the elections dust has settled the PPP/C witch hunt is in full flow for all to see. The latest report of where PPP/C witch hunting tentacles have reached is in the Kaieteur News report of August 14, 2020 headlined, “Gov’t appoints new NICIL board – Jagdeo”… “sources close to the government have revealed that Marcia Nadir-Sharma is tipped to be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICIL.”
For clarity, “witch-hunt” metaphorically means an investigation that is usually conducted with much publicity, supposedly to uncover subversive activity, disloyalty, and so on, but with the real purpose of intimidating political opponents.
This dastardly act is now at the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which is responsible for the effective and transparent management of its own as well as the State’s assets. In this capacity NICIL has had to make prudent management / financial decisions that would redound to the benefit of the company, the government and the people of Guyana.
CEO (ag) – Colvin Heath-London at the helm of the company engaged in strategic management planning in 2018/19. He has outperformed and outshone his predecessors so much so that when he took stewardship, NICIL was in the red,today NICIL coffers boasts of Guyana dollars and US dollars. In fact, information emanating from the Ministry of Finance reveal that NICIL has had a positive cash flow since Heath-London took the reins.
Since he was appointed as the CEO (ag.) of NICIL Heath-London’s stewardship of almost two years has been one of monumental challenges which he has skillfully turned in to gains for Guyana. He has brought to the table a background of international experience in the dynamics of challenging and complex boardroom scenarios, he is well learned and versed in the art of modern management techniques, which he has been tasked with the delicate assignment of managing the state asset agency.
As evidenced by the epic job he has done, securing the 30 Billion bond for the restructuring of GuySuCo, the restoration of the famous Linden landmark of Watooka House, converting Skeldon Estate into Skeldon Heritage Resort, the Berbice Inn, the Kwakwani State House and the Ituni Guest house into entities that have all been generating income. However, other outstanding successes include securing a dividend payment of US $3M from BOSAI, an international organization in the extractive industry of Guyana, coupled with his court challenge against Hong Kong Golden Telecom(HKGT), for their failure to make good on payment owed to the government of Guyana, for their purchase of 20 per cent shares in Guyana telephone and Telegraph Company(GTT). This move, just in every conceivable way, has netted Guyana an extra US$7.5M, as a result of accrued interest.
NICIL under the stewardship of Heath-London, pursued very rigid due diligence procedures and compiled a ‘Land Use Policy’. This policy document allowed for a clear alignment of the processes involved in lands under NICIL’s remit.
Above all this he was politically neutral even though some top members of the Coalition deemed him a Jagdeo sympathizer. Yet he was always very professional and forthright. He has fought many battles with the Coalition but was never daunted even as he continued to help Guyanese across the board. The above is just some of the many successes of the prudent management of Guyana’s assets under Colvin Heath-London at the helm of NICIL; which has now been visited with the worst kind of political vindictiveness- this is witch hunting in all its element.
Regards
Shawn James
