Dear Editor,
A government is judged not only by how it responds to scandals or allegations of corruption and to tragedies like the MV Barima, the school dormitory fire, flooding that resulted in massive losses of property, and other disasters, but also by how transparent and how accountable it is. The Irfaan Ali led PPP administration, like its predecessor APNU led coalition, has been deficient in transparency and accountability. Instead of addressing concerns of the population and questions from media and civil society, it funds trolls and paid defenders to go after critics, civic society, and the opposition. Two back to back different issues have put the government on the defensive on the principles of transparency and accountability and both are linked to corruption, one to loss of estimated 100 lives: President Irfaan Ali’s admitted 150-acre modern, first world farm and the catastrophic sinking of the unseaworthy MV Barima. These two justify urgent national attention and immediate responses. The Vice President, de facto head of government, has been quiet; he has said nothing about either issue or on other controversies involving corruption. Should he not hold the President and Ministers accountable?
The President has not provided an acceptable response on the farm acquisition. Like the Tourism Minister, did the President sell chocolates and sweeties to raise billions to acquire the farm? The Tourism Minister and the President should educate us how to become billionaires by selling chocolates.
The farm controversy should have had an independent body done an investigation of how Ali acquired 150 acres of land and when? How was the bushland transformed in an open area, modern farmland with a resort like mansion and amenities rivaling those of the most expensive homes in Georgetown?
An immediate response is required in the MV Barima tragedy. The COI will take weeks. The public and the families want immediate answers. The disaster that has resulted in the loss of 100 lives demands an immediate and comprehensive government response, not delays with COI sitting and tenders to raise the boat. The loss of lives, allegations of irregularities in passenger manifests and loads, corruption, concerns about vessel operations, overcrowding, cargo storage, passenger safety measures, and potential professional negligence all need urgent responses. Preliminary survivor accounts point to overloading and ignored signs of water ingress by the crew. They were having a fun party time just like the government. There are criminal charges against three members of the crew. How about similar charges against the government officials who are responsible for oversight? Political opposition figures are demanding the resignations of key public officials, including the Minister of Public Works (Juan Edghill) responsible for the boat and Public Utilities responsible for Marine safety (Indar Deodat); both as well as other Ministers like Zulfi Mustapha and Susan Rodrigues also face other allegations of probity in office. There have not been any official queries.
The government’s establishment of a Commission of Inquiry and commitment to investigate the tragedy are necessary steps, but they will ultimately be judged by their independence, thoroughness, and willingness to identify institutional, Ministerial as well as individual responsibility. That should not prevent independent investigations of other scandals.
Does the government hope that the MV Barima tragedy would divert attention on the farm? The MV Barima tragedy should not be a smokescreen for an investigation into the farm. This national tragedy should not result in a suspension of scrutiny of other matters of public interest like the farm or houses and land acquired by several Ministers and other government officials and those who have businesses under names of others with government contracts. Corruption must be investigated against all Ministers, friends, families and favored ones.
The PPP administration, like its predecessor APNU regime, must not be selective on releasing information and being open on transparency and accountability. Questions surrounding the President’s reported farm holdings have generated public debate about transparency, disclosure, and public confidence. The same holds true of several Ministers and other public officials and their allies. Whether those questions ultimately reveal wrongdoing or demonstrate full compliance with the law, they deserve clear and timely answers.
The MV Barima as an emergency should take precedence over other pending matters that should be investigated. Prioritising disaster response should not mean indefinitely postponing explanations on unrelated controversies. Our country should be capable of responding to crises while maintaining transparency on matters involving public officials.
Government must operate with openness. Government must answer legitimate questions promptly. Investigators must operate independently and media must pursue all significant public-interest stories instead of allowing one headline to erase another.
Yours truly,
Jerome Blackwell
