When the late President Hoyte facilitated the return of a relatively free Press – the Stabroek News and the freeing up of the importation of newsprint – and the re-importation of flour and other banned or restricted consumer items, legacies of the rigid Burnham policies, most of the country could breathe again and demonstrated gratitude to Hugh Dessie.
However there were a few in the vocal Opposition minority (?) or majority, who asked an important question: should we be thankful to a leader who, for political reasons, merely re-introduced items and freedoms taken away from the nation by his own late leader and party? “You’re giving to us what we had and enjoyed for generations,” this segment claimed, “what is there to be grateful for?”
So should we, who had been deprived of basic consumer items, been thankful? Frankly speaking, I say yes: Hoyte could have prolonged the national agony. Even if it was the political reality that made him do it, he did; and folks were right to appreciate his overturning some very unpopular policies.
So what is all the foregoing about? Well it is context for contemplating the years–long policy of the People’s Progressive Party governments of arbitrarily imposing annual measly salary increases for its public employees as insulting Christmas “gifts”.
Okay, I know full well that Maximum Leader Forbes Burnham had originally introduced that system – actually an insidious strategy of “granting” minimal increases by December, always saying: “my government workers deserve and must get additional relief for their beloved Christmas holidays. This interim payout will not prejudice further government–union negotiations in the new year”. Of course those negotiations never happened. That was the genesis of these annual disrespectful, ungrateful “increases” for the nation’s public employees. But former Finance Minister and President Bharrat J took this executive disrespect and contempt to higher heights!
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This government
and its employees
Intensifying with Mr. Jagdeo, PPP Administrations have treated their own workers with scant regard. I’ve often wondered why.
If it is that the old Public Service, the Army and Police Forces were perceived to be pro-PNC, today’s Public Service, Teaching Service and Nursing certainly reflect a changed, even balanced ethnic demographic (Indians(?) are represented significantly).
The military and para-military service – members even get an extra month’s pay in time for Christmas Day. Why? Why not budget for all government working souls? Do the Joint Services vote PPP? Ho-ho-ho!
The PPP government has made a virtual mockery of government-union Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been decimated and made into a friendly poodle. (Bravo Geology and Mines workers recently!) Last year the GPSU queried the nominal “increases” as against what was budgeted. A contemptuous non-response by Ms. Westford’s outfit. The contempt is again repeated this December. And GPSU Trade Unionist Leslie Melville’s employed poor say thanks. And think about ways of “supplementing” meagre earnings – Through sloppy indifferent service, absenteeism and theft.
No doubt Doctor Ashni will reel out all that has been done for Public Servants over the twenty-two years. But could he – and they live on government workers’ salaries and conditions at inflationary levels? Oh, when will the Guyanese chickens come home to roost?
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Ridding the country
of governmental evil!
The opposition speaker at a recent rally impressed, persuaded me with the passion of his sincerity. He was representing articulately, all those who want the scandals, corruption, mismanagement and kleptomania of the government erased and eliminated. He wants his country saved from the anti-people excesses of this now-depraved regime. He saw this Administration as a manifestation of evil!
At a meeting albeit in his opposition party stronghold, among the pleas he made: “it’s time to tell them goodbye!” “we’re not prepared to allow a scandalous attorney-general to investigate himself”; “we’re no longer prepared to have unqualified persons in important posts and positions”; “I’m not prepared to allow this government to continue awarding excessive and over-priced contracts to unqualified friends”.
I sensed his frustrated determination when he said: “I have given up a comfortable private life for a public life, a public role. It’s our treasury they are abusing! and all we hear of is scandal after scandal!”
Reiterating his heartfelt, emotional appeal to his audience, he concluded: “Yes my friends, it is time to rescue this nation and return it to sanity, stability and sustainability… this country’s crisis is now at an all-time low; we must not/cannot be mum at corruption anymore. We must remove them. It is time for each of us to act. Be prepared to do what we can, what we must to give the younger generation a fighting chance…”
Now all the foregoing were the impassioned pleas of Trinidad’s opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West, Mr. Stuart Young, at a PNM convention two weeks ago. Quite familiar, eh?
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Please ponder well…
Whilst Opposition Leader Granger promises prosecution of PPP corruption-kleptoes when he assumes office eminent, Economist Professor Dr. Clive Thomas analytically dissects all that’s wrong with the Marriott “project”.
Contemplate: Will expressed intentions to prosecute past governmental wrong-doers generate suspicion or fear in potential investors? Or confidence about cleansing and clean governance for the future?
Should not this prorogation/suspension Constitutional period be used to educate the populace about the details of numerous suspect “national” projects?
Are illicit earnings now being exported? Can foreign banks be made to help appropriately?
Diabetics unite! This bit of levity is not intended to trivialize an illness and condition affecting thousands. If, however, you tell people that you’re a diabetic, scores will reveal they are too. Or someone close to them is.
Because of some strange insecurity or “fear” (?), many Guyanese hide or closet their illnesses. Sometimes to their own detriment. Whatever the type diabetes has its own challenges – and therapies. Medications are well-known. Behaviours to manage the conditions are advised.
My very prominent diabetic friend shuns “the pharmacy medications”. There are herbs like sasparilla, rose-of-the-mountain, corilla bitters, saffron, turmeric – all there to assist. For the males’ manhood? capadulla! Take your pick. After your Doctor and the Diabetes clinic.
Rum and roti elections campaign in T and T. Kith and kin politics in the Guyana Garbage-land.
Coming soon: Could there be any Granger danger?
`Til next week!
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