Dear Editor,
It was with utter dismay and contempt that I observed a Facebook post on Friday which showed the attendance of Mr. Nigel Dharamlall at the opening of the Government of Guyana Service Centre in Lethem. For months, many amongst the Guyanese public have been faintly aware that Mr. Dharamlall had been provided with a public service position. From this post, we now learn that Mr. Dharamlall is Director of Efficiency and Implementation within the Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation.
Over three years ago, Mr. Dharamlall was accused by a 16-year old school girl of rape in a sadistic and cruel manner. While the charges against him were dropped, the Guyanese public were rightly outraged at the allegations as well as the manner in which the case was handled by the Government and the Judicial system. After much public pressure, Mr. Dharamlall resigned as a Member of Parliament and disappeared, keeping a low public profile.
As Guyanese, many of us had the sickening feeling that despite the allegation and the many other similar allegations attached to Mr. Dharamlall, that he would eventually return – which was reinforced by the PPP’s inclusion of Mr. Dharamlall in their list of candidates for the 2025 Regional and General Election. Yet to see Mr. Dharamlall be given such a prominent position – funded by the Guyanese taxpayers – and to return to public life so nonchalantly, I am still experiencing disbelief.
At a time when the people of Guyana remain furious over the circumstances surrounding the M.V. Barima, the reintroduction of Mr. Dharamlall into the public sphere appears another slap in the face to the Guyanese and emphasizes the seismic extent to which the cabinet are out of touch with the feelings of the people.
What parent would ever want their daughter to be forced to socially engage with Mr. Dharamlall at a public event? Do they want all of their progress and success to be undone by the unnecessary return of an individual who has not and will never have any public support?
Yes, Mr. Dharamlall has not been charged nor found guilty of rape as of today. Yet in the eyes of many Guyanese, Mr. Dharamlall will never be viewed as innocent.
If the Government is so intent on retaining the services of Mr. Dharamlall, let him use them outside of Guyana. There are many diplomatic roles abroad, away from the eye of the Guyanese public, which I am sure will suit Mr. Dharamlall just fine.
Sincerely,
Khemraj Singh
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