– Poor me, I’ll never see…
In the past two columns I wondered whether the People’s National Congress (PNC) leader David Arthur Ganger was “fully retired”. As very little was being heard from him on behalf of his party which won some battles but lost the war.
I also gave a back–handed, tongue-in–cheek compliment to the PNC Young Turks who manipulated Haji Khan’s inappropriate “marked” usage to deflect from their female attorney’s misguided uncomplimentary remark about perceived PPP loyalist-supporters. Today I return to those two themes. Especially because the former Brigadier–President-Leader has re-surfaced!
The female attorney, PNC instant star’s “mentally-lazy” comments certainly cannot apply to the former His Excellency. He could never be lazy of mind. Just retired. Sometimes.
Via his internet Public Interest programme, the retired Army Brigadier’s remarks certainly captured my attention. It was good for me to hear and read him again as I can’t seem to fully appreciate his protégé, Joe H.
My name is also Arthur. I’m a few months older then the Brigadier. However he is far fitter, brighter and more qualified, and more, very, very more financially sound as former President and Brigadier, than I could ever be. Health–wise we both seem to have pre-existing, underlying “conditions”; but I can’t get to Cuba. For varied reasons, I plan to contemplate Mr Granger’s views. Because I’m not that sure whether he’ll remain Leader of the party I once embraced a long time ago. Consider the Brigadier’s views from last week–end hereunder.
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The Brigadier on matters electoral
It was manifestly obvious that His Excellency D.A. Granger was/is fond of the word and concept “public”. A few of his 2015-2020 ministries were all christened “public” as is his retained Public Interest outlet.
As reported in this ‘paper this Monday the PNC comrade leader said interesting, provocative things about local election matters. Among them: (i) “GECOM was brought under relentless influence from foreign agencies… the whole atmosphere was toxic…” (Comment: so where was he then as President? Is CARICOM – foreign”? Were not a few GECOM operatives “toxic” to the point of evil?) (ii) He expressed support for electoral reform – not attempted during his 2015-2020 sojourn; (iii) He declared that a “type of mischief” was perpetrated on the people of Guyana last year; (in T and T they would call that latter “bold-face!” (iv) Many dead voters’ names are still on the voter’s list – comment: even if that’s true can’t GECOM prevent jumbies from voting? Or their proxies?
Granger’s principal point – extremely strange – was that the nation’s highest court – the Caribbean court (CCJ) – should not be the final judicial arbiter on matters relating to Guyana’s elections. He advocates for the local Court of Appeal only. Why? I’d love to know his personal assessment of Chief Justice George. That name George!
And by the way, the former successful, competent vet, Steve Surujbally would have never made it as GECOM chair under the Brigadier. Why? The PNC Comrade Leader has strong views on the imminent electoral reform. But no “foreign intervention?” No Canada? India? USA? Ho-ho-ho.
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PNC on the move: oppose, expose…
I’ve long given up on the theory of “a loyal opposition” in this part of the (CARICOM) world. Whereby the British once considered the Parliamentary opposition as a sort of constructive parallel government.
I might faint if I ever hear the Granger-Harmon opposition praising, supporting such current (governmental) projects as the corn/soya production, the Guyana/ Brazil road link and deep water harbours, the thousands of GOAL scholarships, the new roads in many Regions, private sector hotels, airlines, et al.
Not in this land, even if/when thousands of the Brigadier’s Boys and Girls benefit.
On the other hand the PPP’s inept, less-than-professional, slightly-arrogant approaches certainly assist the Opposition to do what Cheddi once preached: oppose, expose (and hope to depose). Comrade Joe is now an instant environmentalist over the mangroves removal. (I appreciate all that mangroves do, but don’t leave the East Coast without sturdy rocks and seawalls!) The USA Embassy announcing American assistance for electoral reform first played right into the PNC’s hands. But after the CARICOM recount who would the Opposition accept help from? Jamaica? Brazil? Zimbabwe?
Surely in the matter of the nation’s health the opposition should actively offer more constructive critical support to the government’s COVID responses. Point out all flaws and blunders but publicise practical suggestions!
The Big One to flay the government over is, of course, the management of the Oil and Gas sector now emerging in a hurry. But notice something: Joe’s Opposition seems less strident than the Kaieteur News, foreign experts and local knowledgeables. Why? Trotman’s original blunder?
For now let’s smile and hope as we witness both government and opposition engage in daily outreaches to yearning constituents. Citizens complain to the PNC visitors now. But “they” were there for five years!
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Will I live to see …?
This feature, if my editor agrees, will appear repetitively every two months. As I fear sudden departure from the living, I also fear I’ll never experience the following
Courteous efficient service from both government and private sector workers. As a norm. * An orderly well-regulated and clean capital city with honest professional Constabulary enforcement staff – as in my own childhood Garden City. * A landscaped pretty Georgetown cemetery as in more civilized societies. * A national fire service with appropriate machines, equipment and water-sources. * The completion of new rural roadways including the Sheriff Street/Mandela highway and * Fully-equipped and staffed regional hospitals which do not need to refer to the GPHC.
What a short list! But would those of us already past 70/80 live to see those normal requirements realized? Poor us.
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To ponder, to hope…
● 1) Guyanese – especially the entertainment industry – must wish Mr Bonny Alves a speedy recovery. Musician, arranger, singer, movie-director, lyricist, Alves is an asset. And after all, as an Agricola native he was once taught by A Fenty. Get well soon Sir.
● 2) Great proposals Mr Sherwood Lowe: Using Oil and Gas resources to create a true Guyana welfare state. A debate beckons.
● 3) I’m assured that even when vaccines are not accepted by faraway communities they are preserved at the right temperatures.
● 4) Assist me please – so if the PPP government is de facto and/or installed, what’s the status of the parliamentary opposition?
● 5) Coming soon: Afro-leaders as tribalists – and why.
‘Til next week!
