Dear Editor,
The recent events in the Parliament coupled with the Nandlall affair; the NBS scandal, in which the name of former President Jagdeo, a leader in the PPP, has been mentioned; the Marriott mystery; the longstanding scandal and subterfuge in the NCN (‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur) affair with no finality in sight after three years; the Chinese logging company and the export of logs where the Guyanese taxpayer feels betrayed; the sugar industry and Mr Raj Singh’s illogical appointment and his total inability to cope with all the problems involving GuySuCo; the state of affairs in Georgetown and many other important affairs of state, lead me to the conclusion that this nation is suffering from a crisis of leadership.
Editor, let’s take Mr Ramotar’s main statement since he suspended Parliament, in which he indicated that he is looking for dialogue now. Nobody’s laughing, because since it cannot be a joke, then we can see clearly a crisis of leadership. Where have the last three years gone for dialogue and compromise? Or is that a joke or again, a reflection on the leadership which Mr Ramotar is offering us, the citizens of Guyana? Anywhere on this planet, a minority government has to seek deals, compromises, and most importantly, give ground to gain ground, in order to survive. Has the PPP leadership done that? The Guyanese people will answer that question soon unless Mr Ramotar can reverse himself and open up Parliament immediately in seeking compromise and dialogue, while keeping his mandate intact. As a member of the PPP/Civic list in the 2011 elections, I am pleading with the President to open up this democratic foundation of our dear republic; create goodwill and God’s good graces will follow, that is written.
The Tenth Parliament is one of the most important parliaments we have ever had, and many important issues have been attended to. This parliament incidentally, is showing up the whole crisis of leadership, not only in government circles but in the opposition itself, where unity, coordination and purpose are elusive at times, and create in the peoples’ minds confusion and misunderstanding. These impressions contribute to the overall perception by the populace that our leaders are unequal to the task at hand.
Editor, that brings us to two leaders in this hemisphere: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago and President Obama of the USA. These two leaders deal with issues in a realpolitik understanding of compromise, respect for opponents, and determination to settle problems (not shove them under the carpet). In addition, they live by the doctrine ‘The buck stop here’ at their respective desks. In other words, there is no tolerance for bribery and corruption anywhere in government.
Here is Mr Obama, losing the mid-term elections in the USA and immediately reaching out to the Republicans, seeking compromise and negotiation for bettering the US economy. Faced with a minority situation in Congress, Obama will show astute leadership, riding out any political storms, to produce good results for the American people. Here is Mrs Persad-Bissessar, retiring former Prime Minister Panday from politics, firing ministers left and right – a long list of incompetents and abusers of power, ending with Mr(all-powerful) Jack Warner, who thought he was an untouchable in Trini politics. PM Persad-Bissessar is the best leader in the Caricom region; a no-nonsense leader who does not tolerate corruption and abuse of power.
Editor, PM Bissessar and President Obama believe in democracy at all levels, and that is why they would never subvert or circumvent local elections in their respective countries, because they both understand that in a real democracy, local elections act as a sponge to soak up new young ‘blood’ into the political system which is good for any country. The crisis of leadership in Guyana stems from the fact that local elections have been abandoned by the current PPP leadership. If local elections, which were halted by Mr Jagdeo, had been held every three years, meaning six cycles of elections, the political landscape today would have had a lot more young people involved and hence, good news for our country instead of this crisis of leadership.
That is why Mr Ramotar should hold local elections now, once the Elections Commission is ready, which begs the question: Are Dr Surajbally and Gecom ready for local elections? Some politicians claim they’re not, although I personally think they’re more than ready, willing and fully able to hold these elections.
Yes, Editor, we are faced with a real crisis of leadership and until our leaders can act and think like Mrs Persad-Bissessar or Mr Obama, sorry, we have nowhere to go except on the not-so-merry-go-round we’re on.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
