-Ministers anonymous
Should a government be “forgiven” for not finding time to facilitate street repairs and upgrades because it’s too busy constructing its evil big-picture apartheid?
No. I think not. But first allow me – a one-time PNC propagandist – to congratulate today’s PNC – People’s National Congress – for succeeding – however limited – in wedging into some citizens’ minds the words, image, concepts of installed, illegitimate, corrupt and yes, apartheid. Even my using it here in my caption is a PNC propagandist success. Congrats again fellas. Even though evidence and people’s attention span and rejection will ensure the concepts won’t last (at all).
Whilst propaganda – as originated for the Roman Catholic Church – is not always bad, mis-information and inciteful strategies go against our constitution and, of course, are dangerous for our multi-ethnic society.
But the PNC political opposition will use everything in its destabilisation arsenal these days. (It’s real tough experiencing the Ali/Jagdeo PPP “controlling” oil-and-gas revenues yeh!) It’s up to the PPP boys and girls to behave with professional, non-partisan expertise as they manage and serve.
But, frankly speaking, although I do suspect that after two years within the corridors of power there are cases of governmental/political discrimination, preference and favouritism, I take exception to the PNC surrogates preaching some “apartheid”. Colourful word but ridiculous assertion.
You’ll quickly sound silly PNC; except to and among your loyal tribal core group. That Afrikaans/Dutch South American word and system refers to “segregation of the races” with laws and sub-human enforcement once used to institutionalise that system of government built on extrovert racism and dehumanisation. No amount of PPP discrimination could ever come close. So I suggest comrades: revert to the usual cuss-words.
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Damaged streets, development, allegations…
The governing party campaigned to be elected. The majority voted for it. Despite opposition evil electoral rejection. In its manifesto the PPP promised national remedies. All victorious parties realise the magnitude of developmental challenges after one month newly in office. But they asked for the job!
One month after the APNU/AFC had to concede defeat in August 2020 an opposition young lady publicly berated the new PPP outfit regarding degraded roads and streets in East Coast, Demerara villages! But she had just left government office after five years!! I suppose that’s how/why opposition M.P.’s get paid.
Partly because there is already a pervasive fantasy that our Guyana is currently some “oil-rich nation”, it is easy to influence a vulnerable population that this government and its 2022 budget must get necessary things done now. Yes, it seems a scientific fact that oil reserves exist in Guyana’s Atlantic for two or three decades to come, but that wealth has not at all begun to trickle down to the needy.
So don’t expect all roads to be fixed; increased salaries immediately; hospitals to be upgraded next week; old-age pensions to be justifiably increased; larger cash-relief distributions; lower electricity bills or fuel prices. Both civilian cost-of-living and political demands are always going to be made. But we have to be fair to the government in these days of floods, war and pandemics. It is up to the administration to govern, to manage efficiently. And equitably.
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Community projects, major enterprises – probable?
This piece is merely to provoke your serious, perhaps concerned, consideration as Guyanese citizens, hopeful and proud. Even as you are reminded that there is a significant difference between the similar-sounding words “probable” and “possible”. Check them both.
I’m always attracted positively when I see our national Public Works Czar, Rev. Minister Edghill moving around communities and towns shepherding new infrastructure. His is a vital task to ensure national basic comfort.
I keep wondering however: should I exude confidence in this government’s ability to execute any revival of the sugar industry? The massive gas-to-shore project? President Ali’s Silica Smart City? State-of-the-art hospitals? Settlement of immigrants? Local content implementation?
The foregoing is just a sampling the government speaks to us about. Am I to believe in its abilities? What say you?
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Ministers anonymous
When I acted as the country’s Chief Information Officer in the early eighties the ministry was responsible for producing a Cabinet of Ministers publication. Presidents Burnham and Hoyte wanted all to know their ministers tasked with “managing” the nation. For better or for worse.
So tell me today friends: who is Minister Oneidge Walrond? What’s her ministry? Anand Persaud is Minister of…? You must know Minister Susan Rodrigues, right? But which ministries do Sonia Parag, Deodat Indar and Vickram Bharrat lead? Ho-ho-ho!
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Pause…then ponder
● 1) Britain’s Queen Elizabeth (2nd) ended up a lovable royal grandmother. After presiding over exploitative empire; then a Commonwealth. She has earned eternal peace?
● 2) Name three (3) local currently-active Trade Union Leaders now actually living overseas.
● 3) I am as perplexed as impressed! How does a young student study 25 subjects at one time?
`Til next week!
