The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition-Government continues to gamble dangerously with the future of this country and its people in so many respects.
The coalition, which is now in the middle of its tenure, is still struggling to place its feet firmly on the ground as far as understanding how Government works, and how to govern with the highest levels of transparency, inclusivity and accountability.
Also, the coalition, having realised that it is impossible, and unrealistic to implement some of the controversial policies contained in its 2015 manifesto, is now forced to make amendments and gradually come up with new ad hoc and ill-thought-out policy positions as they go along. This has led to confusion and conflict in Government, as some Ministers are sticking to the original plans as adumbrated in the manifesto document while others are attempting to either completely replace them with more realistically rational ones. This is the sole reason for mixed up and confusing public pronouncements made by key spokespersons in the Government on a variety of matters ranging from how to handle GuySuCo, NICIL’s operations and alleged indebtedness and the rice industry to dealing with the Guyana Power and Light Company and its ineffectiveness as well as unreality.
That aside, the coalition Government simply has not managed to deliver any significant reform that has contributed positively to the livelihood of the Guyanese people over the last two years. It also not piloted or unveiled any authentic (or original) massive urban or rural development plan that could serve as the centrepiece of its legacy in office. It clearly does not have any new ideas about driving Private Sector growth and development because its Finance Minister Winston Jordan continues to dish out familiar philosophical and ideological perspectives that are synonymous with the Forbes Burnham brand of socioeconomic management. Many times, his views and positions on economic issues lack vision and are uninspiring to say the least. As a Finance Minister, Jordan’s tenure will be remembered for the tumultuous and back breaking taxes that his Government imposed on every citizen of this country and the fact that his version of economics has left the country paralysed in many respects. His “dragonomics” has also crippled the legitimate manufacturing and productive sectors which are burdened with the cost of doing business locally while trying to compete regionally. Food prices have skyrocketed under this Government and it would not be surprising if the President and his army of Ministers and advisors could not tell us the price for a loaf of bread, pint of oil or even a tub of butter at the corner shops. Their super salaries and tax perks keep them insulated from the shocks of Guyana’s currently lethargic economy.
Notwithstanding the improved performances of pupils at various regional exams, the country’s education sector is still indeed of more modern reforms. The People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, had a plan and a very comprehensive strategy for its holistic development but this has seemingly been shelved even though the APNU/AFC Government has no properly compiled plan of its own. The current Minister, Nicolette Henry, has been set up to fail. Her track record alone proves that she is incapable of driving any new reforms that could see the education sector transformed. Also since Manickchand left the Ministry, there has been an information blackout and secrecy everywhere about what’s going on.
As far as improved security is concerned, the APNU/AFC Government is proving that it easier to talk the talk than walk the walk. Government is taking a beating and the criminals are outfoxing the security forces. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan oversight and management of this sector has been disastrous if not shameful. Under this Minister’s very active and watchful eyes, there has been chaos in the prison system that has resulted in the loss of innocent lives and the arson of the country main correctional facility. Criminals are having a holiday by unleashing havoc on the ordinary citizenry daily. And while it can be easily argued that the security forces have been trying, the fact is they have been failing too many times. They are reactive far too many times when they should have been proactive. Ramjattan does not provide good policy direction and oversight when necessary. Since the PPP demitted office, the level of interference in the day to day management of these bodies to secure politically satisfactory outcomes and appointments favourably to the Government have been unprecedented. Just look at the President’s directive to the Police Service Commission on the issue of promotions and the subsequent lie after objections from the public that it was done to avoid compromising the integrity of the Guyana Police Force. Ramjattan should be fired for his general incompetence.
No other area under this Government is performing satisfactorily. Its Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry is also plagued with corruption and Amerindians are being shafted and treated as collateral damage so that the APNU/AFC Government can regain full control of their economic livelihoods and land.
The coalition Government must change course and come up with a blueprint for Guyana’s development. It must end its current campaign of arrogance and revenge in order to get ahead with the people’s business.
