Surely sugar is becoming bitter
Quite recently I’ve been noticing observers and commentators yearning for constructive, robust but responsible parliamentary and political opposition.
A most reasonable expectation I suppose. For is not analytical professional opposition, to monitor the wide all-embracing complex of government activity a vital component of any society’s sustained democracy?
The current People’s National Congress (PNC) opposition, masquerading as some “APNU”, is trying its devil’s best to transform itself into some acceptable twenty-first- century form of non-violent, non-monster, civilized political entity and “force”. Even among the younger a-political Dot.com generation of Guyanese, the opposition’s task is bedevilled, perhaps overcome by its very recent past.
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Both “polished” and thug-like opposition
Yes even the indifferent under- and over-eighteen Guyanese, especially of a particular group, will remember all the five-month manifestations of relentless potential election thievery for the PNC and attempts of GECOM surrogates to deny the majority their electoral will and victory.
From spirited but bogus 33/34/35 majority of 65 contrived controversies (initiated by a “respected” attorney) to long interminable forays to local and regional courts, “political litigation” cost the country millions. And made some PNC legalists laughing stocks from the CCJ.
Then after the UN, Commonwealth, EU, CARICOM and Trump’s government eventually persuaded the Brigadier-President to allow Mr. Ali his Presidency, more hell was in store. (With lots of “race” thrown in!)
Two of my Hopetown, West Coast Berbice reliable sources told me that the two Henry young men met their murderous deaths more because of marijuana plants than “race”. But that did not stop two political losers from going to WCB and inciting racist attacks on Indo-Guyanese – from beatings of truck drivers to a little girl coming from church. Thug-like attacks repeated themselves a few weeks ago at Mon Repos, ECD. Poor comrade Norton. As he utilises race for his upcoming protests, he might also face a mission-impossible to refurbish his PNC. (Though there will forever be loyal tribalists – a minority!)
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Failing governance after two years
After a five- month imposed delay by the Brigadier-President’s loyalists with oil-and- gas revenues on their mind, Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Ali assumed renewed governmental authority.
The global pandemic was at its height even here. Health-care restrictions and curfews then floodings. Vaccination costs, refurbished, specialised hospitals. Challenges since.
But is this PPP government really being discriminatory, incompetent and/or racist as they spend and borrow based on very new oil revenues?
Frankly speaking, all administrations are usually guilty of some forms of favouritism. They find methods to favour their own groups with opportunity and bounty not always based on merit. When such is consistently executed on a large scale rampant discrimination characterises governance.
Rapid dedicated government critics, as well as some more responsible civil society watchers, allege numerous mischievous wrong-doing by Ali’s government. They cite the cash grants, the financial wastage at GuySuCo, the dismissal of an EPA head, the alleged manipulation of the police force hierarchy, the VICE News allegations against the Vice-President, the need for a new “clean” voters list, the cost-of-living. And I could go on as an opposition propagandist. But politics aside, are these accusations valid?
The thing to do is to gather and present actual data with the statistical evidence to find the government guilty. Reasonable citizens will publicise such info and findings and will indict the PPP folks! But Irfaan Ali at 42, is indefatigable as his government shares out needed house-lots and scholarships. I suggest that leader Aubrey Norton enlist Journalist Adam Harris to assist with compiling a “provable case”
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The Speaker…and the PNC ladies
It is most unlikely for me to lead this column into any libel suit. So all I’ll say here is that I’m agreeing that more professional parliamentary scrutiny should be exercised over Speaker Nadir’s rulings.
I’ve long disconnected myself and my one-time “loyal support” from the PNC (1997). So I don’t assess that party’s female gender-power. Suffice to record however that, slowly, I’m admiring the efforts of three PNC opposition ladies. Ho-ho-ho.
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Our sugar now bitter
I mean the management of our ailing, struggling sugar industry. It’s obvious that there are grave injurious flaws.
The Brigadier-President’s administration was too crude in downsizing this once-mighty sector. Our cost of production will never make modern-day sugar-production here viable, Also beets and diabetes will take their toll on the use of cane sugar. It seems inevitable.
I advise the PPP: strategise to downsize the industry over the next two years. Sugar workers – present and past – will still vote for you! You know why!!!
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A few to ponder
1) Is former PNC Ideologue, former PPP Minister Henry Jeffrey, now Village Voice columnist, still a leader of the ANUG party he made me vote for in 2020?
2) I keep wondering if a PNC government would now re-negotiate their lopsided oil agreement of 2016??
3) The Corentyne woman was stabbed to death after run over by a car. A Hog Island victim was beaten to death then tied a motor-boat-engine in a river. By humans? Or lower animals?
`Til next week
