Dear Editor,
Guyana is experiencing declining accountability as it acquires unprecedented oil wealth. With wealth comes an equally unprecedented responsibility to ensure that our public wealth are protected from deep corruption, political and economic abuse and conflicts of interest. There is hardly any accountability. Almost every official is embroiled in some form of corruption; the rulership encourages corruption among Ministers and officials. Only a few of the Ministers have so far not been linked to corruption. Dr Ashni Singh’s name is among a few mentioned not among the corrupt. Why is he not speaking out against corruption? Is he on the take like others?
The public has a legitimate right to question the conduct of officials known for their integrity. The Attorney General is quiet on corruption. Everybody knows why; he has lost public standing plus the Chief opposes him as Presidential candidate and is trying hard closing his eyes on corruption to win confidence of Chief. So I am asking Dr Ashni, a Presidential hopeful, why are you quiet, and worse, why are you serving as a foot soldier for corruption?
There is a painful contradiction between Ashni and this corrupt government, the most corrupt in the history of our nation. Ashni is a well-educated son of an outstanding, decent, corrupt free family. He is also married into a very good well established family respected for their education, social standing and accomplishments. His background is in sharp contrast with the conmen running the government. Given their family background, not much is expected of them. One of them is tied to the gambling industry and is earning billions. Another’s brother and mother are known for taking tens of billions plus he is banking his enormous wealth in Middle East while some loot are also kept in Ontario through family members. Azruddin’s wealth is a fraction what he has in Middle East, Guyana, Canada, and USA. One of them banks hundreds of millions of American dollars in China to protect from the Americans; yet, he has the audacity to go after Azruddin on taxes that is small change compared to what he has in China. Washington knows about the history of corruption, fraud, and killings carried out by the conmen running the government and their close ties to China. The conmen have a history of fraud, deception, lies, torture, victimization, and corruption. Yet Ashni is associated with them. How can Ashni remain silent as his colleagues rape the treasury while the poor is getting poorer. His silence hurts him. The Jagan’s would be disappointed in Ashni behavior.
Dr Ashni was once well respected for his management of the economy. But he has lost credibility in doing the bidding of a handful of conmen running the country, men not in his league in academia and scholarship but who Ashni chooses to be associated. A few are getting wealthier while the poor get poorer. That is Ashni’s record under Irfaan Presidency.
Ashni has spoken forcefully about good governance and accountability in speeches. But he is not acting on his spoken language. Words about fighting corruption are not enough. The Guyanese people need to see the same determination applied when allegations concern members of the government with which he serves.
Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption and remains committed to eliminating corruption and that accountability and transparency are fundamental to the country’s system of governance. There must be accountability against all allegations. Guyana’s oil wealth belongs to the nation, not to any political party or the corrupt individuals running the government. Every dollar must therefore be subject to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
As Finance Minister, Dr Singh occupies an office that carries a responsibility far greater than defending a political party. His first obligation should be to the Constitution, the rule of law, the people, and good governance, not his corrupt friends who bank ill gotten loot in Middle East and China. The Finance Minister cannot expect citizens to be satisfied merely because he is of the view that allegations are politically inconvenient. The proper response to serious allegations is investigation, verification and transparency. Ashni should call for setting up an independent anti corruption office with a czar to examine and investigate allegations. There should be no political exemption from scrutiny. Investigate all allegations against government officials including the President, First Lady, VP, PM, AG, others. If they are baseless, demonstrate why and clear the names of accused. If there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, take actions! Ensure that an independent agency investigate allegations without fear or favour.
Ashni political defensiveness and silence are deepening public suspicion. Guyanese are disappointed in his silence and ties with corrupt. He must demand accountability or break with the corrupt government!
Yours faithfully,
Roop Tamesh
