Dear Editor,
There was a time when I believed that a major problem in this society was the PPP based on the way the party governed the country. But today reports emanating from the public place me in a position to ask myself: Whether it is not a culture in the society where persons when elected to office believe they can treat citizens anyhow?
On Thursday a member of the public walked into my office and raised concern about how he was treated by a junior minister of government. This citizen reported that he visited the minister’s office to address a problem of his. He advised me that the minister opened his office door, spoke to him loudly and the statements were so humiliating that he was even ashamed to walk out of the office because those outside of the office who were on the same floor could have heard the minister. This is the fifth complaint I have received about this minister and it was the second within the same day.
This mentality where elected officials feel that the people are their subjects to be treated as they like ended on the 26th May 1966 when the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted and Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan embraced each other at the National Park.
The view by many in society that they ought not to be part and parcel of the political process is being supported by the behaviour as identified in the minister, who is not singular in treating the citizens with contempt. What is also worrying is that many of these persons put on their own in any constituency elections may not be able to muster 20 votes, even those of their family, yet they conduct themselves with disdain for the people.
Acquiring political office today, which was made possible by the people, has seen some too busy to even say hello to their neighbours and those they formerly rubbed shoulders with. This is not arrogance; it has to be something else. Today, the citizens are urged not to only come to persons like me and complain about the mistreatment and abusive behaviour, but to formally lodge their complaints to President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. This can be done simply by dropping a note to the guard hut at the Office of the President complex, or if this fails, go to the media. This dishonoured political culture must come to an end.
Visiting parliament when in session is another area of observing the political class in action. Those who were on the government bench in the last parliament are now willing to engage people like me. While those who are now on the government bench, who in the past were looking in all directions to engage, now walk through other doors to avoid getting into contact with voices they once relied on and drew strength from when in opposition.
The barricades that are currently around Parliament Buildings, their removal were voted for by the combined majority APNU and AFC in the last parliament. That they remain after the May 11 elections is testimony of the double standards in politics.
Many have different views about the PNC’s 28 years in office but as someone who during this period protested the administration at parliament, I have never seen a barricade placed there to keep citizens away from exercising their constitutional right to be heard, share ideas and information, and petition their elected officials.
Parliament is the nation’s supreme democratic organ and highest decision-making forum (Article 50- Guyana Constitution). When elected representatives have decided to put systems in place to deny those who elected them the right to petition them, a mockery is being made of democracy.
This issue is not merely about political parties but the innate desire of those who attach themselves to political parties in order to use the people’s power to lord it down on them and abuse the nation’s resources in pursuit of self-aggrandisement. Public service is about delivering for the people, including treating the people with respect and abiding by institutions established in the people’s interest.
In elected leadership you offer yourself to serve and with service comes sacrifice and you bear respect for people. You cannot offer yourself to serve and treat people anyhow or violate the tenets of good governance at your whims and fancy. If persons are not prepared to conform to the ethos then they are advised to get out of public service rather than remain making life difficult for the people and hindering this nation’s development.
There must be political development in our society. Elected leaders, both government and opposition, must understand who elect them, who they are in service to, and who must be treated with respect and dignity: the people.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
