“Troubles”? Two Davids, one Moses
I’m plunging into the risk of being mainly political today.
But pardon me for being “impressed” by the sustained list of derogatory, anti-PPP descriptions employ-ed by the relentless professional critics of the Ali/Jagdeo government. Especially the ferocious politically–tribal surrogates of the PNC living in the USA with some interesting organizational names.
We are reminded daily that this PPP administration is “an installed, imposed, illegal, illegitimate, corrupt oppressive, racist regime”. Wow! The American Black Lives Matter (BLM) groups must be touched by the “racist” bit. (But even if that resonated, BLM might ponder that PPP government supporters are, at minimum, brown themselves.)
But I strive manfully to be more objective today as I review the fifteen-month old government’s success and, to me its glaring missteps.
Troubled inheritance, successes, flaws
No matter what former Minister Jordan asserts and I have some regard for him – Minister Ashni could easily depict the parlous state of the economy and our national finances in August 2020.
After the 2018 No Confidence Motion the PNC government still proceeded to expend all that it should not have, besides basics like salaries, maintenance etc, for 19 months. Then came floods, along with the seeming never-ending pandemic named COVID-19. Minister Ashni has conjured up two national budgets since August 2020. Even I keep wondering where the funding comes from if he is not yet tapping into oil earnings lodged in the Federal Reserve Bank in N.Y., NY, USA. (Is Dr Ashni borrowing ahead? As rumoured?)
The current PPP government has entities like the NCN/DPI, the Times and Chronicle to tell its success stories. But I chose just a sampling of my liking: Finding and paying out relief grants to parents of school-going children, COVID relief grants, flood relief/recovery grants, pensioners’ one-off assistance; thousands of house lot allocations in quick time; significant agriculture infrastructure already; reduction of various taxes via two budgets; acquisition, provision of COVID vaccines within a competitive regional environment. For more “positives” you may consult the government–friendly media outlets.
Almost naturally, there were/are verifiable flaws and taints; allegations also of discrimination and irregular practices. A.G. Nandlall is analytical, persuasive and even dismissive when it comes to opposition charges of the dismissal of hundreds of PNC friendly Afro-workers from government jobs. Most should not have been there in the first place but I’ll leave that to the PPP’s Nandlall, Edghill and Teixeira.
And I hope my favourite Agri-Minister in his down-to-earth style, will unearth who received millions in flood relief without any reason. (I’m waiting to see whether there were really “donations” to party or “comrades”.)
Frankly Speaking, I am now among citizens very concerned and anxious with regard to the powerful Vice President’s sugar resuscitation plans, his Gas-to-Shore and Amaila Falls hydro projects. Let’s pray that his “installed, imposed, illegal, racist regime” does not utilise our oil revenues on these planned schemes! Like his potential success in garnering millions from his carbon credits purchase find investors to fund these mega-projects, please! What do you-all think? Would the Middle East Emirates invest?
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The Paul Slowe affair(s)
I first met, professionally, the consummate police officer Paul Slowe when he was traffic officer – popularly described as Traffic “Chief”.
He attempted to enforce no-tints and explained effectively the true cost of traffic accidents to community and nation. I once longed to see Slowe – the expert, prize-winning relief marksman, as Commissioner. He knew policing – all aspects. Then entered politics!
He defied then Minister Gajraj on principle. Frankly speaking I judged him to be correct then. From my layman’s perspective. The PPP “remembered” him? He landed the top security role with Cricket West Indies. To hell with politicians!
But he took Granger’s one-man inquiry which resulted in one police commissioner’s “demise”. That inquiry never really found who wanted to “assassinate” the brigadier. Ho-Ho-Ho! Then Granger made him Police Service Commission Chief.
Now this PPP is in office as prosecutions surround Slowe. I can’t comment on that here. But hope that Paul sticks to international cricket.
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What “troubles”? Two Davids, one Moses
Now I have to truncate a longer piece planned for this. When the Brigadier David Granger assumed his Presidency he came up with a description – “The troubles” – to describe the post-jail-break killings – on by two sides – during the Jagdeo years.
I fed that David “borrowed” that term “troubles” from the much earlier goings-on in Northern Ireland. No Big Ting?
I’ll always defend politicians and professionals’ right to change their parties and their minds. Dr David Hinds was jailed under the PNC. Look and hear him now. As a current “underminer” he has that right!
Moses Nagamootoo was speaking at his PPP rally in Kitty, GT when I, as a “big PNC” operative, was standing near to him, as friend even then, when a bottle of corrosive substance drenched him. I was lucky that 1980 night. Moses yearned to succeed Cheddi. Then emerged one Jagdeo!
But Moses still made it to Prime Minister under PNC Granger! President Granger, Prime Minister Moses – and I – are all in our late seventies. Health challenges visit. Pray for us all…
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Ponder well…
● 1) In this land, will any of the GECOM accused ever be convicted?
● 2) After last Friday, I was congratulated for declaring that the PNC never won any elections. Now I’m being asked who initiated political violence in 1963/64, 1992, 1997/98, 2001. Poor me.
● 3) Did any one of “the hundreds of afro-youths killed under Jagdeo” do anything wrong?
● 4) The aircraft’s propeller sliced up the poor worker’s body. A post mortem is still necessary.
● 5) Forget Coretta McDonald and Lewis. I feel that the President and Labour Minister – and Priya – should meet the GTU.
● 5b) Farewell gentle Colin Smith. Congrats veteran Winston Oudkerk
● 6) Coming next Friday: Malika’s cocaine curry and pepperpot – the big picture.
`Til next week!