Guyanese citizens were only made aware recently that two Government ministers are presently benefiting from full scholarships being paid for by the State. The beneficiaries – Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry and Junior Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson are pursuing their studies in the United States and the United Kingdom respectively. This newspaper was told that Henry is doing her PHD in Public Health to the tune of .36 million, while Ferguson is benefiting from a .38 million scholarship in Public Policy Management.
This information came to light while the 2017 Budget estimates were being considered after a member of the Opposition began to ask questions in relation to the beneficiaries of Government scholarships. This revelation of course did not come as a surprise to many as it has now become a norm for the Administration to disclose critical information to the public only when it is under pressure.
Any Government who wants to be viewed as transparent and accountable must know that it is in their own interest to be as forthcoming as much as possible with such information. This Administration has received its fair share of criticisms regarding its style of governance, most notably the manner in which Government largesse is being distributed. Over the past few months the Granger Administration has become engulfed in one scandal after the other and the powers that be have done, and are doing very little, to assuage the concerns of the populace.
It is also quite ironic that the then APNU/AFC parties; while in Opposition, had accused the PPP Government of some of the same wrongdoings. On the campaign trail they promised a lean and clean Government and a break away from the past. The Coalition used this popular line of argument and they were able to make inroads.
While we would not rush to cast judgement as it relates to culpability, what we have seen thus far is far from what was promised. For many, this latest action by the government in providing two sitting Ministers with millions of tax payers’ money to fund their studies is nothing but abhorrent. To begin with, when ministers take the oath of office they are expected to dedicate their time and energies towards serving the people; and while there is nothing barring any of them from engaging in furthering their studies, one would think that Government officials would be sensible enough to appreciate and understand their obligation to people they serve.
Ministers ought to focus on their job 100 per cent. Setting Governmental policies and ensuring they are effectively implemented is not a part time job. Poor people lives are depending on their performance. These Ministers are being paid $18 million each in wages and benefits to supervise several Government departments and they must be continuously engaged in making peoples’ lives better.
The excuse that this is fine because the PPP had done the same is unacceptable. As stated by one letter writer, it was wrong under the PPP and it is wrong today under the present Government.
Further, it is no surprise now that questions are being raised regarding the process used to select the beneficiaries of the programme and why Government did not, in the interest of transparency, disclose that it is funding the studies of two of its ministers. For example, were the scholarships advertised? Who were the applicants? Who were shortlisted and on what basis were these beneficiaries selected? Such information is needed especially considering the fact that there are numerous persons, some of whom are national top students, who are eager to access opportunities to study abroad.
The Administration must be well aware of the wave of criticisms it has received over the past few days over its handling of this most recent case. The Government must not only talk about being transparent, its actions should also prove that it is committed towards ensuring everyone in the society has an equal chance of benefiting from the opportunities this country offers. In the meantime, we hope that the Opposition and other civil society groups will continue to pressure the government to come clean on these and other acts.
