Battered as we are; hundreds of thousands of our countrymen in optional voluntary overseas exile; and with decades of our development delayed and denied primarily through political selfishness, do we dare to hope during this beginning of another People’s Progressive Party (PPP) national tenure?
With serious, even justifiable, valid grudges for them to address? And with certain hard-core, die-hard recycled players in pivotal places in the corridors of power? Lord! Don’t we, especially the current Dot.com generation deserve a peaceful, and even prosperous “Good Life” right here? In the coming months?
Before I tire mentally again, consider the following thoughts in my political/Ali Presidency miscellany.
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Forget Honeymoon, revelations, resolutions
Last Friday I declared that Brigadier Granger’s Opposition will not grant Brigadier Phillips’ emergence to enjoy any traditional period of a settling-in “honeymoon”- that period to begin to fulfill manifesto promises; to adjust to COVID challenges and shortage of finance; to re-open Parliament and formulate Budgets and so on. From Day 3 the fierce criticisms exploded.
But I suspect that so confident that local and international support would ensure they assume office that the PPP used the wicked five months to plan. To hit the ground running. To begin some implementation immediately. So no “honeymoon” – sympathy needed?
I hope that the early revelations of financial wrongdoings by the PNC government; of the many mini-scandals being – and to be – discovered, will not attract all of the new administration’s energies. Accentuate your positives. You asked for the job; you won the job; now absorb criticisms, even abuse, with stoic maturity. Concentrate on a future of equality.
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Desist from abuse, tit-for–tat responses!
Is there anyone in the PPP itself or in governmental status who could restrain their younger comrades from matching the PNC in abuse and derogatory rhetoric? Who could prevent arrogance, mockery and triumphalism? Perhaps Comrade Czarina Gail? Or Comrade Donald? First to advise could be a Ronald Singh, I suggest.
I tried to find a little hope when I saw the retail politics by Minister Croal and his assistant minister “assuring” Sophia Squatters. Cling to my hope?
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Oil and Gas commitments, the fund!
President Ali was choosy and careful when speaking about his government’s approach to the Oil and Gas sector. He promised sustained transparency.
This layman citizen now looks for three things: Will – or can – there be any renegotiation of contracts already secured? Or just attention to new ones? Secondly, will there be new professional personnel at the Department of Energy? Why? And will Parliament’s legislation be “adjusted” to access finance from the Natural Resource/ “Sovereign Wealth” Fund? Trust the new Petroleum Commission with “new” personnel? Every citizen must stay keenly interested!
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The General Secretary and the Prime Minister
Frankly Speaking, the majority of citizens make little time for the politics of governance. They merely need a comfortable existence under the policies and programmes of those in charge. Some with time and interest and a certain past – like myself could wonder a little more.
I wonder if General Secretary of the PPP and new Vice- President Jagdeo will allow ministers to listen to their President. I suspect that the General Secretary/Vice President won’t be as remote as Granger was in his first months not at all!
But I wonder how well Brigadier Prime Minister Phillips – once a Chief of Staff – will cope with political advice or direction? I do wish the PM success, but…
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Santokhi, foreign policy, colonisation
One of the better aspects of the Saturday Inauguration, to me, was the esteemed presence of new Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi. His subsequent projections for cross-neighbour co-operation gave me hope. Will I be disappointed?
He spoke of getting projects completed in the short term! Hope springs eternal! (Remember that gentleman was the law-and–order no-nonsense police commissioner who arrested one Roger Khan?)
Foreign Minister Hugh Todd will have to learn very, very swiftly. If he retains a competent professional staff. Do far better than that medical doctor! From CARICOM to Europe to Brazil, there is international goodwill for Guyana right now. Don’t ignore or waste it!
Now ponder with me. (’Buse me too if you feel like.) I once travelled one whole day with then Prime Minister Sam A.A. Hinds to see the site of a proposed aerospace Satellite facility in our upper most North West Region. We could have been like Cayenne with its European Satellite base.
We were blighted. It never happened. An adviser on Oil and Gas just warned against some form of “re-colonisation” Huh? So consider: If this “sovereign, independent” Guyana decides to allow the USA to build a military base in say the Rupununi, to collect millions for development, would that be colonisation? Discuss…
Next time: Constitutional Reform.
A new Elections Commission (structure). What money to re-open estates of sugar? Really a good idea?
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`An Appinet-ment! A lil Wuck!’
The PPP die hard needs a job for his children. A good “appointment.” Some reasonable job or any “lil work”.
Holding themselves to high standards now the Ali government will be scrutinised stringently. How many new political appointments next month? To Boards? Commissions? Diplomatic Missions? To newly created employment opportunities? Can’t opposition qualified supporters get “a lil wuck”? And how soon will President Ali’s 50,000 new jobs come on stream? Ho-ho-ho.
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A wise “Douglah” dynamic?
Pardon this postponement. I’ll write a letter early next week to better explore the implications of Joe Biden’s choice for his Vice-President Running Mate.
Former attorney-general of California, Judiciary Committee, recent Presidential Candidate. The lady is “Black” and “Douglah”, Jamaican and Indian and American. What a lady! What a country! See my letter.
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A few to ponder…
The PNC lady litigants now have to pay stupendous costs. Good thing they have adequate financial resources – and sources.
Remember RUSAL Bauxite workers when “remembering” the Sugar Workers.
Instant personnel adjustments at GNNL, NCN, Police and other key agencies. But don’t “reward” Party loyalty” only.
Besides his private commercial venture(s) I think Comrade Van West-Charles did sterling work at GWI. Pity…
How nice (???) How different! A fellow is before the courts for bigamy! Two wives!! Ho ho ho!
’Til next week!
