Why, oh why, do I choose to begin the Western folks’ “New” year like this? With issues and concepts negative?
Perhaps because every day they threaten to permeate the nation’s life. And that includes individual, personal lives.
For the public record, let me wish you readers – especially of this ‘common people’s’ column – a safe, secure, healthy and successful 2007.
I think that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the Integrity Commission are housed in the same building in Queenstown, in our Capital City. So it was both a question about the Integrity Commis-sion and the fact that as I approach my mid-sixties still grappling with the questions and issues of morality, right and wrong and changing values, that prompted these righteous ramblings for the first column of this year. Mind you, the mischievous amongst us would note that the first letters of Patronage, Nepotism and Cronyism spell “PNC”. But that’s no dig at the PNC. That political entity has not been in office and authority for nearly a decade and a half. The three evils mentioned, therefore, are not now perpetuated by the PNC. Even if they could have been found guilty of actually institutionalizing corruption, graft, greed, patronage, nepotism and cronyism during their twenty-eight year political and governmental tenure. The levers of power are now manipulated by the PPP/C Executive, Cabinet and Government. So when I hear allegations of corrupt practices, discrimination or favouritism, where should I look?
A Caribbean Man of Letters, George Lamming had offered the view once, that poor Third World politicians (especially), upon the assumption of office, could not believe the opportunities that suddenly open up for them. The more morally-weak, the once needy quickly succumb to the benefits of status – misappropriating that which does not belong to them.
I know that Human Nature compels many of us to look after our own first. The syndrome is “I, me, my own, family, friends” first. Our old country-folk fashioned a Creole proverb: “Every cow cry fuh ‘e own calf”. Self-preservation is natural. But when the discrimination and exclusion – at the expense of Merit – become institutionalized, like a social and political weapon against helpless, innocent contenders, that is when integrity, standards and fair play become compromised. Ushering in mediocrity, and the collapse of the high ground of desirable morality. I might be “preaching” here because I am coming around to the belief that as a society, Guyana is in the throes of the consequences of corrupt practices.
Patrons, well-placed, dole out opportunities, favours and “influential support” to their chosen few; to their favoured groups or causes. Cronyism manifests itself in the exclusive offers and positioning of intimate, trusted friends – to the exclusion of others better able or qualified. Then, I had to smile at the origin of nepotism. It seems the outwardly religious, moralistic Catholic Popes of the distant past used to favour their illegitimate sons, but describing them as “nephews”. Nepotism now refers to favours, positions and authority being given to relatives.
Frankly speaking, I experienced these practices when the PNC held sway for nearly a generation. So it is easy to appreciate the practices being implemented again by those in political authority these days. New blood, new unknown names must crop up, must replace the old and the aging. But I am a bit perplexed to discover some brand new (inexperienced) Permanent Secretaries, building contractors, utility managers, corporate secretaries, chairmen of boards of directors, etcetera. Oh well, perhaps I’m out of touch. (?).
I close my sermon with two related points: I remind the government that the late President Hoyte, when very new as Opposition Leader had advised the new PPP/C government to “live and let live”. Create enough jobs, house-lots and scholarships for all – based on equal opportunity. Then I invite the Integrity Commission to elucidate on the concept of good morals and “integrity” itself.
Name just 20 Guyanese politicians, parliamentarians, preachers and top businessmen who are persons of unimpeachable integrity!!
What “New Year”?
Ok I understand, a bit about the Solar System and the Earth’s movements which give rise to days. I follow how a few millions of us count time. So we describe the beginning of another 365 days as a “new” year. There has to be some system of counting, describing the time span of our existence on the planet, right?
That doesn’t prevent me from quoting and agreeing with the Sunday Stabroek Editor who wrote (in case you missed it): “A New Year? And so
We sit poised once more on the brink of a new year. While this partition in the endless stream of human existence is man made, it allows us to indulge the illusion that we can start anew every twelve months and leave the detritus of the past behind. It is not really true, of course, because whatever problems were there on December 31 are likely still to be there on January 1 and cannot be wished away. And where Guyana is concerned, after a series of 50 odd new years, we have still been unable to turn our backs on the past and fashion a template for the future to which more-or-less everyone can subscribe. That, it seems, is a work in progress which with the best will in the world from all sides will not be anywhere near completion in 2007.”
A safe, successful, healthy 2007
1) Check commercial and business “integrity” as the Value Added Tax (VAT) is introduced.
2) Whatever happened to the Age-of-Consent legislation?
3) List seven (7) things wrong with the new stadium.
4) Please understand and agree with me: if we fail to succeed with our leg of Cricket World Cup in two months’ time, we embarrass the entire nation! President Jagdeo, like Prime Minister Owen Arthur, is right to be hands on!
5) Coming Next Week: This year’s Mashramani.
‘Til Next Week!
