Dear Editor,
It gives me great pleasure to observe and experience this spirit of renewal and revival enveloping the nation, moreso in terms of the efforts to clean-up our own filth. I congratulate the efforts of citizens and organisations contributing to this enterprise.
However, I wish to ask one central question. Why now? Why did we wait until a change in government to pick up our own garbage, paint our flower pots, dig our own drains, weed the parapets outside our homes? Where were all the ‘celebrities’ before May 11 to inspire the people to pick up after themselves? Didn’t we care about our own country before May 11? Am I to conclude that we as a nation will only contribute to the national good and cleanliness, if the political party we support is in power?
What are the motives of the businesses only now seemingly possessed of the resources to engage in socially responsible activities sponsoring clean-up campaigns in the area in which they operate, posting to social media the selfie-shots of drains being dug by their employees? Couldn’t they engage in similar activities before? Didn’t they notice the filth surrounding them before May 11, in which they swam through to get to their doors?
I am all for progress, and I say better late than never. However, I make this observation because, like many whom have commented before, I wonder about maintaining the current trend. Right now, its seems very fashionable or trendy to engage in clean-up activities. Like every trend, there will come a time when it is no longer current. I hope I am wrong in this regard.
Littering and improper disposal of waste is a national pastime of Guyanese living in Guyana. They don’t take this habit with them when they travel, though. A Guyanese living in or visiting another country (especially North America) would walk around with a chewing gum wrapper in their pocket all day until they get home, or see a trash can in the street. In Guyana though, the wrapper would be dropped in street, even if there is a bin right across the road.
Another unrelated observation I would like to make concerns the implementation of the Cummingsburg Accord between APNU and the AFC. There has been much said of it not being followed as was agreed, with the AFC getting the short end of the stick. I remember the reports of the big coalition party at the Pegasus subsequent to the signing of the accord with the numerous pictures of smiling, happy persons posted to social media and the dailies. I remember the reports of intense negotiations between the two entities for weeks before that announcement.
Today, I read of the Prime Minister being reported that he was not a negotiator of the Cummingsburg Accord. Are we to believe that such a strong principal of the AFC did not contribute to the negotiations of the Accord? If so, who were the negotiators on behalf of the AFC? Were they aware of the constitutional requirements of the President chairing Cabinet meetings? As far as I am aware, the main principals of the AFC are all senior legal practitioners − Nigel Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo, Raphael Trotman − the last three being seasoned politicians. At least one of them must have been part of the negotiating team. Were these persons not aware of the constitutional provision?
What about the principals of the APNU who negotiated the Accord, were they aware of the constitutional provision when they signed the agreement? If they were aware, did they lure the AFC into a false sense of security to get them to sign onto a coalition? How did they suddenly become aware of the provision when the first Cabinet meeting was held?
I know, Editor, a significant number of citizens voted for the APNU+AFC because of what was represented to them in the Cummingsburg Accord. I for one was attracted to the limiting of the powers of the President as contained in the Accord, in favour of a more consensus approach, led by the AFC component of the proposed government.
I don’t see that happening now that they have secured victory at the polls. I see the AFC being sidelined; I see that the AFC ministers being ‘watch-manned’ by the APNU components placed within their ministries; I see a general nonchalance by the AFC principals in explaining to their support base the implementation of the Accord as was presented to them prior to the May 11 election. It appears that a previously vocal and vibrant Nagamootoo has become a tame poodle on ascension to office, as if his life’s ambition has been achieved. I see Ramjattan as the only AFC principal who is standing as a strong, independent and genuine advocate of the people, although possessed of a few watch-men in his ministry.
“It is time” that the AFC hold a press conference to explain to the nation and more especially their supporters the shortcomings of the Cummingsburg Accord and the plan that they have to overcome them. Whilst supporters may be disappointed at the lack of implementation on some of what was promised, I am sure a tangible plan and explanation put to the people will appease them. Notwithstanding, all parties must be aware that the people will hold their leaders accountable, as they did on May 11, 2015.
Yours faithfully,
R Marks
