Over the past two weeks, senior Government functionaries, including President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo have heaped praises on a slew of policies that are currently being implemented by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change coalition Government.
They have argued publicly and privately that Guyanese will benefit in the long run from the hard decisions that are being taken by the Coalition which are necessary to set “Guyana on the right path” in order to establish a green economy which will create more economic opportunities and wealth for its people.
Additionally, the Ministers and regional representatives, as well media pundits associated with the Government have maintained that things are good in Guyana when compared with what obtained under the previous administration. One member of the Government has even had the temerity to say that Guyanese are certainly enjoying the good life, peace and unity under the ruler ship of the Coalition, which has returned public decency, high levels of accountability and transparency to the people and good governance.
Unfortunately, those views and positions articulated by the Government are not shared by the general Guyanese public. In fact, anyone who seeks to defend such views amongst the ordinary working class citizenry are likely to be viewed as delusional and an enemy of truth.
Simply put, things in Guyana are getting from bad to worst. The levels of uncertainty which obtained following the 2015 elections have all but diminished. There is no social cohesion amongst the populace and those gains which the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic fought for with regards to fostering national unity via various policy platforms appears to be lost. Renewed forms of ethnic discrimination, racial divisiveness and sexual orientation intolerance are rising again after a long hiatus under former PPP administration.
A remarkable situation is developing for the first time in this country’s history where the middle class is facing extinction, while the poor are becoming poorer. The public is being taxed into poverty as the Government pursues ‘textbook socioeconomic’ policies which it is hoping would solve many of the prevailing problems facing Guyana’s now lethargic economy. Private and foreign investments are declining, while the Finance Ministry is struggling to keep inflation down, the dollar stable and foreign debt minimal. Unemployment remains high and no new forms of incentives are being rolled out to trigger a turnaround, even in the face of mounting dissatisfaction on the part of youths.
President Granger and his Cabinet also appear to be incapable thus far of turning the fortunes of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) around or providing the guidance and assistance needs to create more dynamism and vibrancy in the rice industry. Small and medium scale miners are now threatening to protest a series of poorly thought out and burdensome tax measures being implemented by the Government, which will lead to higher levels of tax evasions and lower levels of declarations. Cash crop, livestock and agricultural farmers are also struggling to survive, as markets for their produce are collapsing as demands decrease, which in turn is having a domino effect on their local economies.
Also, there is controversy and friction between the Government and the Judiciary at every tier. Despite the recent assurances given by the Prime Minister Nagamootoo who distanced himself from attacks on the substantive Chief Justice and Acting Chancellor Carl Singh. Regardless of his rhetoric, the public believes that he was forced to save face after being called out for his Government’s emboldened attacks on various judicial officers. After all while the State’s sole newspaper was striking against Chancellor Singh and others, he remained quiet. Silence is complicity.
Crime continues to thrive surprisingly under a highly militaristic Government, which demonstrates high levels of intolerance in other areas. Almost every day businesses are robbed and Guyanese families left broken after the lives of some of their loved ones are snuffed out because of the wanton and dastard acts of criminals. Police remain in ‘reserve’ mode and appear still in reaction to crime.
Our politics still stink and the Government appears indifferent to the stench. Friction continues between the Opposition Leader and President with little hope of improvement, unless official talks on a number of issues commence immediately with the aim of building consensus, unity and shared national interests. Parliament has been reduced to a rubber stamp with the Government refusing to give way and accept suggestions, as well as changes to legislation from the Opposition.
Decent, right-thinking and honest Guyanese are not happy. Coalition supporters are not happy. At least two junior Coalition partners, including the Working People’s Alliance Party are not happy.
This is not the Guyana Guyanese had hoped for when they voted at the May 2015 elections. And this is not the picture the President painted while campaigning in the lead up to the elections. This state-of-affairs cannot continue.
Citizens must do all that is legally and lawfully necessary to turn the tables and put pressure on the Government to do more and deliver the ‘good life’ it promised.
