What…

…say the wailing Jeremiahs??
Well, well, well!! After another year of sniping, bitching, and whining by the Opposition and their troglodytes of the PPP Government’s handling of the economy in general – and the spending of the oil money in particular – they were just knocked on their hindquarters by a blow from an unexpected source – the IMF!! Now, while it’s become routine for the Opposition to cherry-pick reports from international agencies – like Transparency International, whose local contacts are their camp – and as such invariably bash the PPP Government’s performance, the IMF comes into the picture with no strings attached!!
Every year, they send a team into countries to conduct what’s called an “Article IV Consultation” that evaluates their economic performance measured against an elaborate set of metrics!! It’s an in-person follow-up to continuous monitoring of member countries by the IMF staff. The team can demand reports and have questions answered from the highest levels of the responsible heads of our economic institutions – such as the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, etc.
And what did the report from the June visit reveal?? Enthusiastic endorsement of the Government programme – across the board – that’s what!! Contradicting claims by the wailing Jeremiahs that our GDP growth – making us the fastest-growing economy in the world – was only due to our oil strike, the report said, “Encouragingly, broad-based growth in the non-oil economy continued at about 14 per cent, with construction remaining the largest driver, and agriculture, mining, and manufacturing also contributing meaningfully.” So, they’ll still kvetch about a 14 per cent non-oil growth rate??!!
And what about the continuous trumpeting of some report using outdated data that our unemployment is OVER FIFTY PER CENT?? Said the report, “…robust growth was also reflected in a stronger labour market, with unemployment down at 6.2 per cent by the end of last year”!! Now let’s remember that “unemployment” refers to those who’re LOOKING for work…and therefore excludes all those non-working millionaires who depend on money from furrin – and cash grants!!
Looking ahead, the team opined, “The non-oil economy is projected to broaden by about 7 per cent on average over the next five years as the Government continues its ambitious plans to address infrastructure and developmental needs”!! And most significantly, they emphasised the point just made by Exxon – as they’ve now recouped their investment, we should soon be getting our full 50 per cent of profits! They also commended the Government’s policies that have supported “rapid accumulation” of substantial NRF balances – and one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the hemisphere!! So much for the Opposition bemoaning the Government’s borrowing program!!
While noting the need for increased audit capabilities on governance, the IMF team said they welcomed ONGOING efforts to further enhance public sector transparency and service delivery!!
Take a bow, President Ali!!

…say Sanction Man now??
Now that the highest court in our land has handed down its judgement on Sanction Man’s frantic efforts to hold back the OFAC sea of indictments in Miami that guarantee him an orange jumpsuit in a federal penitentiary – the matter is back on the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court docket! He’s been told that hearings will now resume September, after the August holidays!
So, your Eyewitness wonders what’s going through the fella’s mind as he contemplates all the festivities going on around him on EMANCIPATION!!  Must be thinking how many years the jury in Miami will put him away for!?! But he should be thankful that he wouldn’t be in chains for a lifetime…as was the case with our forefathers!!
He should also meditate on the reason for modern incarceration – time to correct the error of his ways that got him snagged in the first place!
Maybe he can confess about the taxes he evaded to our GRA – and pay them off.

…about UG leadership?
For too long our sole tertiary educational institution – UG – has been a retreat for the PNC’s brain trust. If not overtly, for sure, covertly!! But with the end of the present VC’s tenure, time to clean house!!