Dear Editor,
During his Indian Arrival Day speech in Highbury, Berbice (SN, May 6), President Ramotar said the PPP administration made mistakes during its tenure and is likely to make more mistakes ahead. That comment is not motivational and does not drive confidence in a sceptical nation. It is not likely to bring back the thousands of supporters who abandoned the PPP or stayed away from the polls last November. Whoever prepared that speech for the President should have gone deeper into the President’s attempt at being remorseful about PPP wrongdoing. His special advisers did a lousy job in not providing appropriate advice to win back the hearts and minds of those who abandoned the party over the last five years. People want a real apology – say you are sorry for what happened even if you were not directly responsible for the mistakes. What people want to hear from the current President or former President or the PPP itself is to say something like: “We regret the many mistakes made during our tenure and the neglect of our supporters. We assure you steps are being taken so these mistakes are not repeated and never again will you be neglected.”
The President erred in saying “mistakes will continue to be made” and in not using his speech more effectively to win over those estranged from his government. The nation cannot afford mistakes and missteps. Mistakes are made in every government, every office and every ministry in every country. But the head of a nation has to make every effort to reduce errors and to give confidence to his people that steps are being taken to provide better governance. That is what the people want from their leader.
The President also needs to take steps to bring him closer to the people. He needs to show his style of governance is different from that of his predecessor. He should be in constant interaction with the people. He has to improve links between the government and communities. Mr Ramotar needs a different approach from his predecessor on consultation to get direct input from communities on development projects. He needs to personally intervene in community matters since people lack faith in local leaders who disappointed them in the past. He must clean house in relation to those who failed the people. A new style of governance is needed in which communities are consulted before projects are undertaken. There must be outreach strategies to get communities to buy into projects as well as to allay the fears of citizens. This will strengthen people’s confidence in his vision (whatever that is) for the nation.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
