Dear Editor,
Prime Minister Mark Phillips (Brigadier Ret’d) was questioned by a reporter about the growing calls for the resignation of the Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill and he replied that he was well aware of the noise. Some took great umbrage that concerns of citizens were categorised as ‘noise’.
Here is why Prime Minister Phillips is correctly unapologetic:
The Prime Minister was/is in the midst of responding to a tragic situation that occurred at 11pm (or thereabouts) on Saturday night. The Prime Minister galvanised various state entities into action, people were called to action from beds, bars and other places and a rescue operation was conceptualised. Throughout this early stage there were frantic efforts to gather actionable information, find available resources, boats, equipment, and personnel; in simple terms a massively complex movement of people, machines, equipment and support systems (tents, food, clothing, medical support etc.).
This is the kind of work for which the Prime Minister is particularly well suited, drawing from his time as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Constant effort was made to provide updates as new information came to light. With passengers and cargo not shown on official manifests, survivors’ eyewitness accounts continuing to surface, and the numbers changing repeatedly, the work towards rescue efforts required more flexibility from the Prime Minister with every change of ‘fact’.
Sleep was not an option. The weight of responsibility was taken to the limits of human capabilities. Then came the questions – legitimate ones – about names of passengers, numbers, systems in place, what was being done, how it was being done, who was doing it, and more. All were valid questions but then came the cacophony of noise.
Opposition MPs demanding access and attention, the ‘right’ to be treated as special VIPs. They wanted to be allowed food and water prepared for the people working on the logistics of rescue operations and the families of passengers. The blame game then emerged as a tool of political opportunism, calls came for the resignation of Bishop Juan Edghill, who was/is still working tirelessly on the rescue/recovery efforts.
There is indeed legitimate reason to call for resignations but there is a time for that and it is when these operations are over. Until then, it is a distraction: a blame game without solid reasons. Noise that distracts men and women working for best possible outcomes to a disastrous event – a task that requires total focus. Noise is MP Duncan flying a drone posing a danger to rescue aircraft, it is MP Mohamed and his incessant cries for attention. The Prime Minister has no need to apologise for calling noise what it is, time consuming distractions of the Georgetown elite.
I believe President Irfaan Ali is going to make decisions that can/should arrest the backslide of Guyanese in all aspects of our lives, those same noisy people who demand resignations and accountability will be tasked with changing and/or influencing the change in our ill-disciplined society, I do hope they are noisy in support.
Make noise for accountability, but also do not be silent when you and yours are called to account. Make noise when the driver of your vehicle is breaking the laws on the road; when a policeman takes a bribe; when your family pays a bribe; when a contractor shortcuts on safety for workers to save money; and pay your taxes in full. When you are about to break these rules that guide us to becoming the utopia we aspire towards, make noise at yourself. Through all this, commit to change, then this noise becomes a beautiful song. Until then, it is just noise.
Thank you for your attention.