Dear Editor,
Moved to share these thoughts as I was, I also know that the principal sentiments are bound to be branded as pro-PPP. That’s the risk one takes when given to pointing out the strategy of our current classic opposition: relentless, perpetual, non-constructive opposition by the PNC, its parliamentary opposers and surrogates. Somewhat ironical for me is the fact that in recent weeks I detected a marked improvement in opposition and/or objective criticism, even outrage regarding certain governmental and political missteps, overreach; even questionable or discriminatory maneuvers. I welcome the scrutiny of government, inclusive of calls for rejection or sanction when necessary. However, it seems that concomitant with sustained critical oversight, is the evil accompaniment of destructive calls to undermining everything governmental with some anti-PPP “racism” thrown in.
Firstly, a brief-contextual diversion. When Brigadier-President Granger first occupied the Vlissengen Road Office of the President, he immediately facilitated numerous Commissions of Inquiries (COIs). Ostensibly or in actuality, these were intended to uncover and perhaps prosecute all the more egregious mischief, illegalities, corruption and even criminal behaviours of the previous Jagdeo/ Ramotar administrations. What success for the country’s citizens did those millions in expensive COIs bring? Except some political satisfaction for the Brigadier–President’s Brigade? Jagdeo and ministers summoned to SOCU. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington in chains in court. Seelall Persaud deposed as Police Commissioner. Minister of Public Service Westford and her assistant charged to no positive effect. The findings of the Public Service and GuySuCo (?) inquiries ignored! Millions wasted on what, in hindsight, can now be described as witch-hunts, not even properly prosecuted to be “productive” or corrective.
So against the foregoing, I’m wondering whether success will attend the various prosecutions now being mounted by the 16-month old PPP administration. The almost-successful distraction manufactured over young Minister Ramson’s “Black-Role Models” remarks; the scene already set by accusations – not verified – about government’s racist dismissals in the Public Service; along with obvious missteps and a few “don’t-care-a-dam” political blunders by the ruling regime itself – (why just a meagre seven percent increase for its own workers?) all are setting a scene of robust, sustained protestations to create an environment hostile to even objective judicial enquiry. An editorial in this newspaper some months ago stated that it was unrealistic to expect the Brigadier or his Opposition Leader to finally concede, admit that the coalition actually lost last year’s elections. Where would that leave them (they reasoned)? But even the most a-political amongst us appreciated what occurred when it was realized what would happen as the Region/District Four’s ballots were being counted – after all the other areas’ results were unquestioned. So now I wonder: even as the Guyanese Court of Public Opinion knows the guilty, will the prosecutions for obvious electoral attempted fraud and unrelated cases against those accused of other frauds under the Brigadier-Leader, ever be successful these days under a PPP government? Or will they all go the-way the Brigadier’s inquiries went?
In conclusion, I leave those of you interested in such matters with two questions: which new PNC leader will be more aggressive, hostile even trenchant, regarding the government’s stewardship? Can you name four prominent, high-profile Indo-Guyanese businessmen dedicated in their support of the PNC?
Sincerely,
Allan Arthur Fenty
