Former Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Taskforce Head, Mr. Winston Brassington should be fired. Project Consultant, his new crown, does nothing to immunize him from the US$2 billion Bharrat Jagdeo contraption now crumbling before the eyes. Resigning would be the honorable step, but would be sticking it to Guyanese, injuring them some more with this US$2 billion con. Though the last step ever recommended, firing is the only option. Guyanese have to be given some satisfaction. Somebody must take the fall for that Jagdeo concoction, and Winston Brassington is the best candidate.
Facts to be faced, reality acknowledged. Party General Secretary and PPP Govt Vice President Jagdeo won’t be fired. By whom? Nor will Prime Minister Phillips run on his sword, in the manner of ancient warriors. In Guyana, politicians don’t take the fall. Why should they, when there was a Dr. Gopinath “Bobby” Gossai? Willing, able, and zealous at being the shaky front for that US$214 million IHS Markit audit findings sleight-of-hand. For his part, Pres Ali has performed very poorly with accountability. He can redeem himself over that US$2 billion Wales calamity. The president can only waffle for so long. Vice President Jagdeo has the luxury and cover story of jetting off, and a well-earned reputation as Dr. Teflon. Nothing sticks to him; neither Velcro nor Crazy glue. By default, there’s only Winston Brassington left in the line of fire. As citizen and brother, I do my duty, take a chance and send him this warning. Get on own power, move while the weather permits.
The Wales GTE isn’t Skeldon. It isn’t the Berbice Bridge nor Sonata. It is US$2 billion, or 400 billion Guyana dollars; maybe GY$600 billion in the extreme, or GY$500 billion, with discounts, if lucky. The Ali Govt may wish to pretend that all is kosher, under control. Like hell it is. This project is catastrophe and tragedy in one. In the outside event that the project is completed and deliver, as touted, half price electricity wouldn’t last, will come back to cost expectant Guyanese twice or three times what was promised. However camouflaged, spaced out. Like the Cheddi Jagan Airport there will be costly add-ons to keep the US millions rolling. Mark my words, and my name isn’t Mark Anthony. Clever PPP men will find ways to wrap gullible Guyanese heads in wool, then deceive them on the Wales GTE tragedy. It has lurched from coverups to crises to a full-fledged catastrophe.
Mr. Brassington may consider himself untouchable. Knowledge of PPP secrets, its internal works, and skeletons, may cause him to mislead himself. Others felt the same way, until they were ruthlessly sent off. The chief project manager is Winston Brassington. By rights Dr. Jagdeo should be held accountable, kicked out of government. Where’s his nemesis? Thus, by elimination, Brassington’s head is on the block. Checkout the latest. The money awarded to Lindsayca is too secret, too sketchy, and too much par for the course, to be overlooked as usual business. The US$250 million more being asking for, will not help Lindsayca-CH4 to deliver re time or quality. Looks like ole times replayed. Delays, cost overruns, secrets, and a big bill for long-suffering Guyanese taxpayers. However kindly looked at, it must qualify as another major disappointment for most Guyanese, including yours truly. Only a fool, or an extraordinarily spiteful citizen, wouldn’t want a reliable supply of half price electricity.
In a more demanding society, both political and agency heads would have rolled long before matters reached this sorry stage. Because costly developments like the US$2 billion (and climbing) Wales GTE are now seen as the norm, the most that squeaks out of Guyanese is a yawn and shrug. Because the Wales GTE now carries such an astronomical price tag, even a calloused outfit like the PPP Govt will be hard-pressed to live it down. To leave it alone, and start over with a new billion-dollar dead duck. Heads must roll. In a clean society, it shouldn’t be Winston Brassington’s only.
