Still believing… party paramountcy

To your Eyewitness it appears that the PNC has discovered a remarkable new political technology – a time machine set permanently to the Burnham era. We see this in Norton’s constant invocation of Burnham’s “brilliance” and political “acumen” as he leads the PNC into a death spiral!! Somewhere on along the party clearly misplaced the instruction manual explaining that party paramountcy was a political doctrine, not a permanent title deed to Guyana!!
Under Burnham, the PNC famously elevated the party above the State. The distinction between government and party was wiped out so that that the Republic existed primarily as the administrative arm of the PNC!! Remember the clunky-named “Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and Ministry of National Development” OGSPNCMND??? – which Rodney was charged for burning down?? Government institutions, public resources and national organisations were all expected to march to the rhythm of the PNC that remained in office via rigging!!
Now Norton cut his eyeteeth as a boy in the PNC from that era – so perhaps it’s understandable that, five decades later, he looked at the government-owned building in Lethem that they had been occupying as their HQ since the 70s and insisted: “Surely this must still belong to us.” Unfortunately, somebody forgot to clue him in that Burnham ain’t no longer President, the PNC ain’t no longer the Government – and not even the major Opposition!! One thing apparently still surviving from the Burnham era with Norton is the PNC’s real-estate philosophy – which ended up in the Courts!!
The High Court has just provided a useful constitutional history lesson by explaining that party paramountcy ain’t an inheritable estate – when they rejected the PNC’s attempt to keep on squatting on the government property in Lethem as its headquarters!! One can imagine the disappointment at Congress Place as they squealed indignantly – “But we used to occupy government buildings whenever and wherever we wanted because the Comrade Leader said so!” Yes – once upon a time, the State and the PNC were declared to be one by Burnham and dis time na lang time – so Guyana has moved on!!
So as his lieutenants wrangle to craft a MOU on HOW to meet with his bete noir Sanction Man – who seized the LOO title from him and even his street cred!! – Norton might consider the PNC replacing its old political maxim with a more contemporary one over at Congress Place in Sophia – which they also arbitrarily seized. How about “Party paramountcy – expired and Government property ain’t not party property no mo!!
He should especially inform Black Puddin Man – who he appointed to Parliament – of the change – since the fella’s insisting the PNC owns the streets!!

…they’re superior?
Suriname seems to’ve discovered a fascinating new instrument of foreign policy – the M.V. Canawaima. The choreography’s wonderfully simple – hold her, loose her, hold her again!! No need for diplomacy when you can just park a ferry and make Guyana wonder what the next episode gonna bring!! Perhaps Paramaribo imagines that every delay’s a demonstration of its importance!
But there’s a small problem with that strategy which we should promptly inform their new ambassador – you can only frustrate your neighbour so many times before your neighbour starts looking for another neighbour — or another route!!
Every arbitrary interruption of the Canawaima service is another reminder that Guyana needs reliable transportation, not a ferry service operated like a teenager’s romantic relationship: “Come closer… no, go away… wait, come back.” And the irony is delicious, innit??
Rather than teaching us a lesson about who holds the keys to the ferry it should teach us a much more useful lesson – never put all your transport eggs in someone else’s basket!!

…in moral suasion??
Your Eyewitness is rather incredulous the government keep issuing warnings after warnings for owners to move vehicles and containers off roadways!!
They look ike fowl cocks jumping up and down – with no bite!! Seize them!!