By GHK Lall- Astonishing. For Guyanese. A rare expression of democracy in Guyana. Two generals sprang up like a well-greased machine sparked into action. For what? An outpouring of outrage of a secret Sexual Offenders’ Registry. Protecting PPP Govt undercover operators, stealth predators, suddenly wasn’t worth it. Before the fires become a wildfire, the two men jumped out, stood with the people. Unprecedented.
Pres Ali came to his senses. Vice President Jagdeo came alive. One nixed the secret Sexual Offenders’ Registry. The other is against it. I’m awed; it happened. The cries of Guyanese heard, stirred a positive. From both. Down with a secret SOR. Was Dr. Vindya Persaud, Minister of Warmth and Compassion setup to be the trial balloon? To see where it leads? How long a secret Offenders’ Registry lasts? I feel for her, trapped by her own.
Guyanese will never know the truth, unless Minister Persaud gets mad, writes a tell all. But what they do know now is that both Pres Ali and VP Jagdeo interrupted their slumber, hustled out to upturn Dr. Persaud’s secret Offenders’ Registry. I commend them, with readiness to commend more. There’s a nonnegotiable condition. Both have to bite the bullet, lead the way, do the same with other burning issues in Guyana. When the people cry. What they need for relief. What must be delivered. Because it is of democracy in practice; what’s beyond flurries of words claiming democracy. I table some areas for President Ali, crown prince of democracy, and in the lap of Dr. Jagdeo, champion of transparency and liberty; hater of dishonesty and banditry. The selections before them couldn’t be easier to deliver.
Access to information, Mr. President. There’s a law. VP Jagdeo is on record: something must be done. The road is clear, the millions are there, the printer is online, so down with further denial of access to information. Democracy, law, the people. Just do it. Why hide? Who needs protection (reference Sexual Offenders’ Registry once locked from public scrutiny)? Once the people’s will is expressed, presidents fulfill. Blessings.
Ten months ago, Pres Ali mentioned an anti-corruption czar in his inaugural address. An inaugural is more than about balls. It promises, then produces. Perform or perish. The people do. Politicians never. Do something, Dr. Excellency! There is no office, no officer, bigger than the presidency. Honor its demands, Dr. Ali. Cease with the flabby: ‘ah doan tel peeple how fuh dih deh wuk.’ Rise to the occasion. Direct immediate access to info, Mr. President? AG Nandlall said Guyana is a country of laws, and not tragic figures. Pres Ali can prove.
Also, in that same second inaugural address, the same Pres Ali announced a campaign against misinformation and disinformation. Ten months later, it’s my sad duty to report to Excellency Ali that his own people laff at his promise, through their despicable practices. Let the PNC and WIN dare to sink to misinformation and disinformation, then deal with them. But the same applies to PPP Govt operators, who can’t be masters of misinformation and disinformation. For Dr. Ali can’t then speak of democracy and clean governance. Or, trusted leadership.
Then, there’s that newest PPP garbage truck. A development bank that’s a bank robbery in waiting (coming up). Whoever heard of a bank without certain rules, no penalties for fast hands, for faster minds? Retract and rebuild that bank. So that it serves poor Guyanese, not rich cronies drooling to get at that $40 billion. Thanks for the small consideration, Mr. Ali, of funding it with GY$40 billion and not US$40 billion.
Next, there’s an Oil Fund law that is so slick even Exxon stays far from it, for fear of feces on its face. Enough said about that law that incites lawlessness. I submit national development priorities.
Finally, Mr. President, please purge the PPP cabinet. Boot perverts, deviants, and impersonators of principled servants. The first to fire, that’s the problem. Let’s have more, Mr. President. Show Guyanese that publishing the Sex Offenders’ Registry is not a one-off. Pres Ali cannot be a calypsonian, magician, or politician. Just a trustworthy leader who promises, then produces.
