The only thing missing from Ali’s Tuesday circus was the ringmaster (the ‘Corruptor-in-Chief,’ the wannabe ‘First in Command,’ and ‘Third-Term Seeker’)

President Irfaan Ali’s circus that opened at 5.30 a.m on Tuesday November 12, 2024 drew mixed reviews from the Guyanese public. It is dubbed a circus, with Ali the one wearing the clown suit, and the other actors looking less than joyful and uncomfortable, some swinging around on the trapeze hoping to avoid a fall even as others feared having their necks to the guillotine.

The factors and tools that are usually used to conduct assessment of the projects identified and contracted in the name of the state, were not even given the attention of the entertaining host in that political circus on Tuesday morning.

The inconsistencies arise from the fact that the PPP has decided that for contracts to be awarded to Guyanese they must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Be a member of the PPP;
2. Swear allegiance to he who is perceived by many as the ‘Corruptor-in-Chief,’ the wannabe ‘First in Command,’ the ‘Third-Term Seeker’ (TTS);
3. Commit to give a portion of the contract money to top officials in the regime and party;
4. Spend the money at the place to which they are directed to purchase material from;
5. Remain silent and allow the regime to abuse state resources and deny the rights and freedoms of their fellow citizens.

Ali’s comedic antics fooled no one, but elicited laughter at the comic attempt and concern as to the genuineness of his efforts to bring to heel any corrupt practices in his administration. The only thing missing from Ali’s Tuesday circus was the ringmaster-the ‘Corruptor-in-Chief,’ the wannabe ‘First in Command’ and ‘Third-Term Seeker.’

First, in assessing any project it requires a constant and continuous process. This was not done. The Ali charade gave the impression that these contracts were awarded, money paid, and the elements identified above were satisfied. Were it not for public dissatisfaction and condemnation taking root he would not have acted. Let us not laugh at his effort in his role but hold him accountable for the management and mismanagement of government’s finances.

His demeanor at the meeting never reflected that his intention was to deliver leadership to his team with a view of correcting and delivering a proficient service to this nation. And as such, Ali concluded the meeting with no gains, no applause. What Ali did was seek to publicly embarrass contractors and government officials.  It was a show.

This nation deserves better even for a clown show.