There was a time when people spoke about a one-party state. Russia was one; Cuba was another. Of course those countries had opposition parties but these were relegated to the role of an enemy.
In Venezuela today, there is a democratically elected government but other global democracies suddenly want to see the opposition pitchforked into the seat of government. There is no care for the views of the vast majority of people.
Guyana, must be heading toward a one-party state. The trend is that anyone who supports the opposition party must be terminated from his source of employment. Within the one month since the People’s Progressive Party ended up in the seat of Government, scores of people have been terminated.
One could understand the Regional Executive Officers being changed. These were considered political appointments. The new party therefore wanted its own people in place. But there have been other cases where the new government decided to terminate the services of skilled people who were assigned positions in the various agencies and departments.
Vincent Adams headed the Environmental Protection Agency. There is no one better qualified in this country but Irfaan Ali ordered him removed. When asked for a reason, Irfaan Ali hinted that Adams was a member of the Alliance For Change.
Dr. Richard Van West Charles headed Guyana Water Inc. Although his contract has more than a year before it expires the government decided that he should proceed on leave. That is alright except that the government has appointed his replacement. The end result is that GWI now has two Chief Executive Officers.
Earlier this week, the Civil Aviation Authority became the next place to be visited by the government broom. Legal officer, Amanza Walton-Desir was terminated. The only reason had to be the fact that she is publicly associated with the Coalition.
Not a day has gone by without there being mass firings. And as if to slap the nation in the face, the government appoints its own people, many of whom are tainted characters. The Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Ministry was once an employee of Republic Bank.
Reports are that he was fired for irregularities. His appointment is a form of payback for a favour by way of a mortgage he granted a very senior government official while he was still at Republic Bank.
The head of Maritime Administration is benefiting from his wife’s contribution to the PPP during the legal battles over the elections.
Even the Guyana Police Force has not been exempt from the political manipulation. The Crime Chief is hunting political opponents of the PPP.
A compilation of all those dismissed would make for interesting reading.
