Recall that APNU, essentially the PNC –People’s National Congress- itself a Burnhamite PPP decades ago- with some amorphous other “Baby Parties” linked up, on Valentine’s Day 2015 to contest the May 2015 elections with the Third-Party AFC. Because the PPP seems to be embedded in the DNA of thousands of Indo-Guyanese – despite the incompetence, the discriminatory mismanagement, the corruption – real and perceived – the modern-day version of that party barely lost power. Enter the Coalition. Led by a green, but shrewd Scholar-Soldier politician, D. Arthur Granger.
Recall too that the AFC-an “alliance” for some sort of “change” in this land – actually wrested major concessions from the floundering PNC and was the force which caused the No-Confidence motion to precede Ramotar’s proroguing of the assembly and early elections. So in this full year- 2016- of coalition authority, did the strategic AFC “enjoy” the fruits of its electoral labour? After insignificant votes?
Hardly! For starters the full 2016 made manifest the AFC’s subservience to PNC manipulations. For the sake of survival – and the enjoyment of all that power offers – the AFC has embraced what it formerly would not have supported. Just listen nowadays to the Public Security Vice-President Ramjattan, his old PPP “boss”, current First Vice –President, P.M. Moses and (former) AFC Big Wig Raphael? Willingly subsumed! So what was delivered in 2016?
The Coalition and Challenges 2016
Education and health are two bedrocks of any nation’s existence. Even as employment, trade and investments drive economies, a society must be educated in all diverse ways – and must stay healthy. How has Brigadier Granger’s Coalition done?
Firstly, we Guyanese must recall what they inherited in May/June last year. Former WPA Leader now Vice President, reluctant Rupert must grapple with the nation’s education (system). As with Agriculture, Health and Security, education demands vigour, innovation, resources of all types.
Standards did not fall merely after Dr Rupert took charge. But now the remit is fully his. You decide how this brilliant but seemingly-daunted scholar and literati exponent is faring.
And health? I suppose that, collectively, Third World places such as ours, won’t ever be completely satisfied with public health-care.
Health is expensive. But the management of what is necessary and available must attract scrutiny. So what of Dr Norton’s approaches?
My-my! So far Doc Norton is making Doc Ramsammy seem like a genius! Continual maternity ward deaths, shortages of pharmaceuticals, student nurses in exams turmoil and a “drug-bond” scandal have all conspired to dog Health Minister Doc Norton’s efforts. Would he -or cabinet colleagues- go to the GPHC Emergency Room (ER)?
It has to be conceded without apportioning any blame solely to the Brigadier’s administration: street crimes and home-invasions have featured concomitantly and dramatically since June 2015. Already it is no use blaming the PPP for the original enabling environment. 2016 has seen the usual “Strategic Plans”, but the new young criminals ignore those strategies” and all the military and police minds amongst the government. Robberies now occur at hotels, schools, churches, government ministries, fire-stations and even two policemen were held up the other day.
The President wants young men in schools and not jails. So they must afford school and find employment. Meanwhile execute the simple but basic advice I offer in this column- and recruit, for reasonable salaries and good conditions, fine new young people to man the force.
But in assessing the full coalition year preceding this damp, post budget “festive” season, we should consider the state of the nation’s majority. As in most challenged democratic, but under-developed places, a change of government after decades brings great expectations. Fuelled by the Victors’ manifestoes chock-ful of promises at campaign time.
As 2016 ends, even as people knew that all even most, campaign promises couldn’t be quickly fulfilled, there is already an audible, a visible, an obvious sense of let-down; of growing disillusion and impatience. It’s no good knowing that the Brigadier is a good man, like Barack Obama- and won’t steal or be corrupt. He has to inspire his good lieutenants with good policies and programmes. Including the foreign minister who was touted to be harnessing international investments. More is needed on this front. (Economic Diplomacy?)
And the boastful, loquacious, arrogant mouthings of certain ministries need to be constrained. Already an image is being tainted! Do not be apologist-in-chief, my President. Imagine: the `evil’ PPP is scoring solid points and being an effective Opposition! Here’s to a better 2017.
Foretelling, predictions 2017
I have little to predict for 2017. You could never be certain about this land. Except you have authentic, verifiable insider info (like Adam?). I Just love the sound of that word: Prog-nos-ti-ca-tion.
Have fun with these: 1) Despite his best intentions the President will have to “reshuffle” or drop at least two ministers in 2017- one an AFC man. 2) One Asian and one European investor entity will risk a mammoth investment or two; 3) Dr Clive Thomas and Mr James will finally prosecute two or three executives from pre-2015, but the cases…? 4) Some Guyanese will outsmart the city’s parking meters for a while. 5) Someone will respond to my suggestion about converting the old Stabroek Co-op Bank building into a modern Vendors Mall. 6) The honourable Bharrat Jagdeo will still not get married again- formally.
`Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
