Perhaps it is in the context of the most interesting pre-polling day “defections” and political cross-overs occurring weekly that I create these (hypothetical) fictitious remarks likely to be delivered hours or days after Election Day, November 28, 2012.
Despite a few assurances, nay hope, to the contrary, it surely would be too much for me to expect from the locals. What? That after elections the victors and losers would both use their Voices of Reason to congratulate one another on a hard-fought but robust and clean election contest, (how I love to hear the gracious eloquent victory and concession speeches by the two American presidential candidates -minutes after a deciding count.)
After all, in matured democracies, matured responsible political leaders are not lasting enemies. They are, or should be, just opponents! As this is being written, we are hearing from the contestants – make that “combatants” – through the media and their manifestoes, via press releases, press conferences and rallies – of all the good things they have in store for us. After they are elected to govern us.
So since they all have the national interest, our personal welfare at heart, why long-term bitterness, rancour, hatred? Of course, some of what they’re saying about one another right now reinforces my own view that it is unsafe to trust any of them. (Nearer Polling Day I’ll reveal only one reason why I have a little regard for the AFC’s Trotman. And even around him too are the bitter ones, the disgruntled Defectors…)
Okay, here are Opening Remarks I expect to hear hours after Polling Day.
From Mr Bharrat Jagdeo…
“I wish to thank the electorate for just what I told the nation and the world would hap-pen. The PPP/C has been returned to Power! Notwithstanding our reduced majority – due especially to GECOM’s bungling in certain parts of certain electoral districts, the indifference of our older comrades, migration, some Amerindian crossovers and rank ungratefulness – the new Ramotar-led, PPP/C administration will work with all Guyanese to continue my/our programmes and policies.
I was asked to deliver these remarks by the new incoming President of Guyana – His Excellency Donald Ramotar”.
From President-elect Donald Ramotar…
“Comrades, Comrades, People of Guyana, my victory is one for all Guyanese!
Though elected President by a slim majority I thank you all. My Party and I will meet to work out how we will treat with the Opposition’s expanded presence in Parliament. But I Donald Ramotar, am under no one’s shadow anymore. The fact that I was the youngest of the four sixty-plus candidates from the two major Parties should indicate that my independent approach to reconciliation will be different and welcome…” (If you, dear voter/reader, expect a close or resounding APNU victory, read the PPP/C’s losers’ presentations soon.)
From APNU leader Granger…
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Electorate and all Guyana, my fellow academics, intellectuals and GDF Squaddies, we did it!
Thank you Guyana! Thank you. I was confident as soon as my own internal PNCR-1G stopped its bickering over my candidacy. Let me, up front, thank RHO Corbin for his invaluable expertise as longtime Campaign Director for PNC contests and his faith in me as well as for his electoral (campaign) skills. He was an asset to Joe and my other Army veterans.
You will now see how we shall use Parliament to pursue our Manifesto programmes. Further, in terms of security…”
From RHO Corbin…
“I told you Comrades. My time has come to hang up my coconuts; to throw in the Palm Trees of Congress Place. I am PNC. This is APNU’s time. If they hold together. But let me state further…”
From Khemraj Ramjattan…
“Fellow Guyanese, if they called Sase, Moses, Tarron etc, etc. Defactors, I thank you, the hundreds who defected to the AFC with them!
However, in keeping with the AFC’s commitment to keeping Ramotar and his band from dominating the National Assembly, the AFC, in exchange for certain considerations, has promised APNU to…”
*****
So you think all the fore-going is farcical? Too flippant for the serious business of elections? Wait and see! And listen!
*****
The Land Commission and me
Regulars of this Friday feature would recall my consistent demands that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) return my fees which I paid a year ago after an assurance that I, along with other applicants, would be considered for a few acres of land for agricultural purposes.
For one year I had heard nothing from the GLSC, one way or the other. I had read and saw others receiving allocations in the same area I was taken to. It was time to be-hurt-and suspicious. I asked for my few thousands to be returned.
Then came last week Thursday. A fellow-applicant, colleague and friend showed me approval from the lands people indicating that they had allocated me a few acres since June 2011, nearly 5 (five) months ago. A welcome if delayed surprise for me! I was invited to the GLSC offices. It now transpires that a combination of my negligence to check with my local post office and the lands people’s own dilatory communication procedures, prevented me from receiving the good news. I’ve duly offered my conditional apologies.
But why am I personalizing this issue here? Because there are hundreds of applicants for a piece of Guyana (land). And there is enough useable Guyana land to go around for productive enterprises right now. One only has to go wherever it is located (Afro-Guyanese especially should return to the land! If you get an allocation at Imbaimadai, Buxton backlands or Morawhanna, take it!)
The Lands Commission has had its own problems with naughty employees recently and there are/were the usual allegations of discrimination in granting allocations (to “the comrades”). The GLSC seniors assured me that that is not so and that “No, you don’t have to know the president, Dr Luncheon or Minister Robert Persaud to secure your piece of agricultural Guyana. (Oh? Would not that really help?)
I’ll keep the work of this Commission under focus. There are many highly qualified and experienced professionals there. (I’ll avoid names now.) And ironically, I often take flak for congratulating this government for giving Guyanese more residential lots than ever before in our history. And do you know that some Amerindian communities now own swathes of Hinterland Guyana larger than most little independent West Indian islands? That’s easily verifiable!
*****
Ponder…
*1) Twenty-three (23) days before you-all vote. Contact Mr Gocool Boodoo for updates and your new National ID cards. Now!
*2) Had I been in government, I would welcome former Top Cop Winston Felix to APNU. So much to reveal on all sides.
*3) All pre-emptive security arrangements in place? Contact the APNU officers for advice.
*4) Coming next week: Dirty Tricks Departments’ Plans.
‘Til next week! (allanafenty@yahoo.com)
