Lorenzo Joseph’s world of oblivion displays alarming ignorance

Dear Editor,

There is a saturation of silliness and ignorance in the letter, “When Compassion Becomes Political Ammunition: President Ali Owes Guyanese an Explanation”.

The resilience from the polyonymous Lorenzo Joseph is quite risible, as he sought to assert that “President Irfaan Ali’s remarks were ‘deeply troubling’ and, quite frankly, beneath the Office of the President”.

The letter is analogous to the writer, that is, lacking in substance and betraying ignorance of what obtains when a crisis of the Barima type occurs anywhere in the world.

First, when anything of national scale occurs, it is imperative that all help be coordinated via a single channel. It is not rocket science, too. Harum-scarum must be pre-empted instantly.

It is not difficult to picture that when we have multiple aid sources pouring in independently, there must be centralised coordination of all these inputs. If not, we create another problem, that of ignoring simple logistics, where we do not know who, what, and where is going on. This can lead to surfeit in or lack of things like immediacy, urgency, and adequacy of response and best use of efforts and resources.

Yes, the offering of aid is natural and commendable, but all of these must be directed to that unit, in this case, the People’s Progressive Party Government, to disburse, whether at the time of the crisis or its aftermath.

I am thinking of the recent disaster in Venezuela. Imagine if all the countries had responded with rapid spontaneity at their own whims and fancies. The result would have been another catastrophe leading to bottlenecks at the airports, waterways, and roadways.

Localise this and think of the rescue works during the Barima situation. Without directives from a central port of authority, there would have been nothing but pure chaos-running around randomly, reimbursing after colliding in specific places, and misbalancing and inappropriateness of personnel, etc.

I reiterate that when a national mishap occurs, there is no place for improper distribution of manpower and equipment, unmonitored and inequitable distribution of help and helpers, and no chance-taking with such things as duplication or neglect. We cannot and never should have competing teams vying to help if we are truly philanthropic. However, if we are political opportunists and looking for points and pictures, we will go in with a fish market culture, and this was what WIN was about.

Secondly, let us be reminded that President Irfaan Ali, and by extension the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, did not at any time hinder or block any private citizen, opposition members, or independent groups from providing aid or relief to the families affected by the MV Barima disaster. They simply outlined how this must be done, and this is standard procedure.

I vividly recall the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, reiterating the Government’s position and call, explaining that “…relief work and donations from public and private entities are welcome,” but stating that “administrative processes or security checks on transport vessels are standard regulatory measures.”

If WIN, We Invest in Nationhood Party, wanted to help in a selfless manner, and saw humanity and not politics, they could have supported the PPP Government. The avenue was created and still exists to do so.

President Ali boldly and quickly announced the HEART Initiative (Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience, and Trust)^[1], and WIN’s mobilisation and resources would have been welcomed.

I dare say that to bypass human suffering and seek to be opportunistic is quite nasty. It shows ulterior motives. This is not a case of the President describing people who were and are taking assistance to families of Barima as “wolves”. The President was alerting the general public to WIN’s attempt to turn human suffering into a political battlefield. He, the President, was not doing it.

Then on the flip side, I want people to reflect on what WIN and company did during and immediately after the disaster, even as the tragedy was being addressed.

Editor, the WIN party did not focus on the disaster but ranted about the PPP’s leadership quality and their supposed errant ministers. WIN retaliated with the “HERO” donation drive^[2], travelling clandestinely to heavily affected Indigenous communities like Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to distribute hampers and financial aid directly. They had a mission to create the impression that the PPP and their forces were not up to the job.

Then look at their smear campaign – this went into overdrive as they started their misinformation canvassing regarding very unverified claims concerning vessel faults, such as failing and faulty mechanics, an inoperable engine, expired life rafts, and broken radar systems.

I mean, rescue operations were still active, yet there were almost violent demands for resignations from Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar. WIN, alongside the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), went as far as drafting a formal No-Confidence Motion against the ministers, accusing them of undermining public trust.

However, and this Lorenzo must absorb, that fearing nothing and no one, President Ali established an independent and internationally flavoured Commission of Inquiry.^[3] However, WIN and cohorts rejected it, calling it a “unilateral” and partisan move.

Lorenzo Joseph knows not, and he knows not that he does not know.

References

1. Pres Ali launches HEART initiative to support families affected by MV Barima tragedy – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
2. WIN launches relief drive for MV Barima families - Kiskadee Watch — kiskadeewatch.com ↩
3. President Ali announces independent international Commission of Inquiry into MV Barima tragedy – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩