Dear Editor,
The forcefulness with which this government defended the ministerial salary increase, even as the overwhelming majority of this country across the entire political divide condemned it demands closer analysis of the reasoning behind it. The excuses to date from the government make little sense and have been refuted by many commentators. With an earlier rumour of a 100% increase smashed in the public court and with the country in the economic mire, this government patently knew this was a debacle in any form. That this government persisted may be more than bullheadedness. I think this was a very strategic move emanating from the larger coalition partner, APNU, to secure the AFC’s loyalty amidst a rocky start to governance bedevilled by rejection of the Cummingsburg Accord, sloth-like inaction on corruption, failure to disclose key audit findings, economic miasma, lack of sweeping change as promised and declining political support. The coalition could collapse if this state of affairs continues so it was important to purchase the loyalty of the smaller coalition partner early to offset such a drama unfolding. Plus, the AFC’s governmental personnel more than APNU’s, have stronger personal financial foundations and thus, have more incentive to depart the coalition without remorse. One has to openly wonder whether this salary increase, against the tide of outrage and consternation and in contravention of reason and fiscal decency, was piloted by this bigger issue and the desperation to shore up against internal agitation, now and expected. Was it done to secure unity and loyalty in the hurricane of depleting political capital and vanishing public faith?
Yours faithfully,
M Maxwell
