The new PPP government is just as scheming as the old one

Dear Editor,

A couple of things that occurred recently confirmed what was a big concern of numerous Guyanese. It is that, despite much propagandizing efforts, the new PPP government, supposedly cleaner in outlook, is just as scheming as the old ones. In fact, this one is worse, because it has learned slicker ways to go about matters and people that disturb its smooth flow.

The first sign came from two sources. It was from two well-recognized local men, who resigned from the GUYSUCO board a few months into their tenure. One may depart for compatibility, or atmospherics, or personal developments, or similar appreciated things. But that was not so with the first resignation, as matters went deeper on a broader and principled front. And when the second director left the GUYSUCO board last week, I detected the unfolding of what many suspected and believed all along about the PPP: the more things appear to be different, the more they are not. The new is just like the tricky old, only more slithery. The two directors who resigned tried. They thought they knew senior PPP leaders from being close to them; and that they had a good handle on their roles and the environment in which they were to operate and do some positive things for country and citizens. I regret if this comes across as even mild criticism (which is not intended), but they deceived themselves. PPP powers are set in their ways, too full of hauteur to change. It is their way or the alleyway.

To their credit, the two departed directors did try, but quickly realised that the deck was stacked against them, and that there were others who simply were about party priorities and directives, and never about country. Of course, once there was opportunity for the individually beneficial, then that was icing on the cake. Very early, the two men, and on different issues, came to grips that certain writings were on the wall. Those were not mysteries, but were cleanly interpreted as to directions and thrusts; hence, it was time to go. Because as that old adage (Guyanese, I think) goes: lie down with dogs, and the fleas flourish to one’s personal discomfort. One of the things that is distinctive across all boards is that largely loyalists, ideologues, sycophants, and opportunists have been put in place there, here, and everywhere and given their marching orders. And how they can march!

As an aside, a PPP insider, one of few who I would exchange a word or two with, assured me that they-PPP leadership, old and new-was a changed beast; that they had learned from previous follies; and that they were going to change, since they did not like being where they were post May 2015. I remember disagreeing and saying that that remains to be seen and I am an atheist. I recall saying also that some people are beyond change, they just can’t.

Editor, events are providing the evidence, and I am far from the scurrilous action(s). Like those resignations of men who supported and then had to distance themselves by compulsion of circumstances. Now, I move on to that other confirming piece of evidence: the president himself.

I empathise with him, for he has been given a hand to play from canned lines thrust in his face to read; hand and lines do not align well with each other. I think of some of the areas covered and committed to by the new president and I cringe. This office holder is the head of state, and heads of state do not play word games, do not mess around with the suspect, and do not tamper with the fullness of truth. Let me be excruciatingly candid and say that if someone other than a president had said some of the things that were said, and then turned around and did what was done, I would call him a serial exaggerator (at best), a pathological liar (at worst). My regard for the presidency does not permit me to do so of its holder; I live by that hard, but necessary, restriction. But the record speaks loudly, and the day is yet young.

Though the new PPP is already inseparable from past iniquities, with new ones added, it has changed in a few material ways. It has mastered the art of camouflaging its conduct, through carefully selected communications, which pretend at the new, but on closer inspection are of the old, crooked ways. The people are there; and so are the practices. Last, the brass has settled on a strategy of: let them talk and write; we will be as we are. Done!

Yours truly,
GHK Lall