Concerning honor and legacy
Despite my captioned issues today being appropriate for in depth attention, appreciate my relative brevity.
Naturally, after the completion of its first year managing, “administering” and governing our national affairs, this incarnation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government attracted much scrutiny, criticism, “analyses” – and yes, some praise from both loyalists and a-political commentators.
Today, most succinctly, I will list a few of the charges, criticisms and allegations being showered upon the PPP and it’s government by an opposition – via Parliament, Facebook and Street – led by the People’s National Congress (PNC) party. (As a serious aside, besides a critical comment regarding the government’s edicts on the pandemic by ANUG, I’ve never seen much useful consistent admonitions by the other 2019/2020 eight or ten “opposition” contestant “parties”. Why? JLP, TNM, TCI etc satisfied over the first year?) So what does the PNC – such as it is now – accuse the PPP and government of after one year?
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Accusations and “outrage”
– justified? Concocted?
Frankly Speaking, after it’s failed power-grab, witnessed by international interlocutors, I expected the PNC to be belligerent, hurt, relentlessly aggressive and extremely non-co-operative in matters both political and national. Losing governance and control over a potential oil economy will sting eternally. Hence PNC hostility!
Some accusations:
• Discrimination against PNC afro-supporters. The claim is that since August 02, 2020 hundreds of Afro-Guyanese have been dismissed from government employment. Anil Nandlall is best at explaining that as at Georgetown’s City Hall hundreds were redundant and not needed as “job-for-the-boys-and-girls” in the first place.
• The EPA’s Chief Dr Adams was a victim of PPP’s discrimination. Because he was AFC and might not be “professional” always. I disagree with PPP. You discuss.
• PNC-friendly security services have had their contracts “terminated” for no valid reasons. I agree.
• Lyken’s Funeral Home was targeted using fake regulations regarding the storage of bodies. This might attract a Court-of-Law attention.
• Cevon’s garbage enterprise came close to losing real estate through no fault of its own.
• And why wasn’t Dr. Karen Boyle appointed the Health Ministry’s CMO?
That sampling of Year One’s alleged discriminations is matched by more major accusations concerning the government’s handling of the COVID pandemic and recent devastating floods. Even through the local PPP is not responsible for pandemics or floods, they must bear responsibility for responses since they are, justifiably, the national managers.
All I ask now – for your consideration – is this: how different would the PNC folks have been – (utilizing the deficient oil earnings of now some $389 million (US))? Discuss…
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Will any PNC turmoil affect US (all)?
Look, to remain relevant, sometimes effective, the PNC and it’s local and overseas surrogates will protest, will take to the streets en masse, will attempt disruptions of government business. Their parliamentary presence merely assists with personal incomes.
I want a responsible, “scientific” opposition to hold government accountable, transparent. Minus wild, dangerous, publicity-oriented drama.
It’s no secret now that all is not peacefully well amongst all elements of the PNC hierarchy. That must be unfortunate! Because they might tend to mount distractions within the populace to deflect from internal difficulties.
Facebook recordings of Basil Williams discontent, Mr V-P Jagdeo’s revelations about the Brigadier’s alleged phone tapping, amidst the Brigadier’s re-appearance via viral media, all make for a milieu of party and political bacchanal. It is to be hoped that it won’t influence the national body politic. (Let’s appeal to David, Aubrey, Volda and Joe!)
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Honour, Awards, Legacy…
I’ll return to these considerations more fully sometime soon.
After reading some person’s views on national awards and “legacy”, I was prompted to provoke thought on such issues. They can be lofty.
I won’t ever accept any national “honour” from any government here. (Reasons offered before.) But I support national recognition for individual Guyanese and collective groups worthy, because they have contributed to our national well-being; even our identity.
National awardees must enjoy actual material and national benefits along with their medals.
Legacy!? What’s that? Practical lasting remembrance or inheritance landed down from predecessors? All that and more. Some folks plan and work towards a “legacy”. Others have legacies apportioned to them. For me, the “best” legacies are those not planned. Just naturally appreciated. But much more later.
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Just think about…
● 1. After the earlier PPP’s Skeldon, Amailia and Fibre optic fiascoes, are you confident about the incumbent’s abilities with a new Amailia Falls Hydro-Power Plant? Gas-to-shore? Reopening of sugar estates profitably? New “state-of-the-art” hospital? Demerara River Bridge? What? External expert advisers? Ho-ho-ho.
● 2. Give PPP thanks for millions in Flood Relief, COVID relief and Because We Care grants! Ow man!
● 3. Come on class, tell me: what is a vaccine? Name seven vaccines you know. Did you ever know what constituted a vaccine or medicine you ever took? (No! I won’t enter the current vaccination debate at this time.)
‘Til next week!
