Former magistrate, senior state counsel and state prosecutor Albert Baldeo is demanding that the Guyana Government stop blaming citizens for the country’s mounting problems and instead accept responsibility for failures under its control.
In an open letter published by Village Voice News, Baldeo accused the administration of attacking critics rather than confronting concerns over the cost of living, persistent electricity outages and the deadly MV Barima disaster.
“The Government must stop treating every critic as an enemy and every national failure as someone else’s fault. Attacking, trolling and demeaning patriotic Guyanese complaints defy good governance and public service responsibility, and eviscerates democracy.”
Baldeo said government has a responsibility to address poor performance and corruption within the public service, rather than attempting to deflect criticism through cash grants or Commissions of Inquiry.
“Government has a duty to fire corrupt public servants, appoint capable personnel, put One Guyana first. Practice what you preach.”
Don’t blame consumers
Baldeo also rejected arguments that Guyanese households are largely responsible for the pressures they face because of their consumption choices.
He said families struggling with food prices should not be lectured about their shopping or eating habits, arguing that changes in consumption patterns do not erase the impact of prices, wages and economic policy.
He drew a similar distinction between electricity demand and the responsibility for maintaining a reliable national power system.
While acknowledging that greater use of fans and air conditioners can increase demand, Baldeo said citizens did not design or manage the country’s electricity infrastructure.
“Consumers cannot be made the scapegoats for an inadequate grid.”
He called for scrutiny of generation, transmission, planning and reliability, arguing that repeated blackouts require solutions rather than what he described as “never-ending excuses.”
Guyana has invested heavily in expanding electricity generation, including the Gas-to-Energy project, while GPL continues to grapple with supply and reliability challenges.
Questions over MV Barima
Baldeo also turned his attention to the MV Barima disaster, which resulted in dozens of deaths and left others unaccounted for.
He cited reports putting the confirmed death toll at 73, with approximately 30 people unaccounted for, and said the disaster raised serious questions about the vessel’s condition, passenger records, regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness.
However, he stressed that no court has established that corruption caused the sinking.
“It has not yet been judicially established that corruption caused the sinking.”
At the same time, he argued that allegations of corruption, negligence or reckless administration should not be dismissed through speeches or public-relations campaigns.
“Institutional responsibility must also be accounted for.”
The government has announced a Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy. Baldeo said an inquiry may be necessary, but warned that its establishment cannot itself be considered accountability.
“A Commission of Inquiry may be necessary, but appointing one is not accountability.”
He called for evidence to be examined publicly, findings to be released, reforms to be enforced and those responsible for wrongdoing to face consequences where credible evidence establishes liability.
He also urged the government to provide affected families with compensation, truth and closure.
‘Stop castigating the messengers’
Baldeo said leadership means accepting responsibility for areas directly controlled by government, including public safety, infrastructure, electricity planning, emergency preparedness, enforcement and transparency.
He urged officials to answer criticism with facts, records and corrective action rather than insults or intimidation.
“The critics did not raise food prices, weaken the electricity grid or sink the ship. Stop castigating the messengers. Own and fix your failures, disappointments and shortcomings.”
Baldeo’s letter comes amid growing public debate over the government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis, electricity instability and the aftermath of the MV Barima tragedy.
His final message was directed squarely at the government:
“Guyanese are fed up, listen to their voices!”
