An open letter to the Prime Minister

Apr 25, 2013 Letters

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Hon. Member Samuel Hinds
Leader of the Government Business in the National Assembly
Tuesday, 23rd April, 2013

Hon. Member:
The National Budget is soon to be approved by the National Assembly. And while this nation has followed, with keen interest, the debates and the areas the opposition said they would amend, the nation even moreso has an abiding interest in good governance. For those who require good governance, that is accountability, rights and the rule of law, this budget for them is not singularly about the excision of unwarranted or unjustified spending, it is about ensuring government is put on a path where it governs in the interest of all, plays by the same rules as the masses, and is held to the same standards. It is about creating a level playing field in the corridors of government and on the streets.
And if the government – members of the National Assembly and the Executive – expects the ordinary man and woman to be held accountable for their actions under the laws, then the ordinary man and woman are correct in their expectations that the politicians, whom they have elected to represent their interests, are so equally held accountable. It is opportune to note that the Executive during the 2013 debates, made known that while the 2012 Budget denied spending in some areas, it nonetheless withdrew from the Consolidated Fund. This is a flagrant violation of the laws and contempt for the National Assembly.
Now, if the ordinary man and woman had taken what’s not ours, such is considered a criminal offence and liable to be placed before the courts. And because we know such accountability factor exists, most of us will not yield to wrongdoing. In fact, the laws become the deterrence.
Normally, a government would be happy to prove that it is committed to governing in the interest of the people through leadership by example. But as this society strives to secure such government, the people are demanding their elected representatives do the right thing.
Let us not forget the government that governs best is a government that respects the people and takes on board their legitimate interests and desires. Good governance strives to ensure accountability to the people, whose interests they serve, by putting systems in place to operate in an honest and open manner.
The Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill passed by this National Assembly and sent to President Ramotar for assent seeks to hold government officials accountable, equally as the Criminal Law (Offences) Act seeks to hold the ordinary man and woman accountable. The Bill not only seeks to ensure appropriate punishment should there be violations, it also serves as a guide to what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and is therefore critical to good governance.
There are expressed views that seeking to use this opportunity to put systems in place to effect good governance, hinged to the approval of the budget, will lead to the government falling or public servants not being paid. Labour wants neither and neither can happen if our politicians on either or both sides of the House can stand up and give leadership to matters of national import. This was done before and it can be done again. A few cases are cited below for easy reference:
·    In 1971 the desire by the Forbes Burnham government to nationalize Demerara Bauxite (Demba) required the PPP’s support to remove the word “prompt” before the word “payment” as outlined in Article 8 of the then Constitution. This constitutional amendment required two-third majority, and to have the PPP’s support the government agreed to honou rCheddi Jagan’s five demands, among them being: 1) the recognition of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); 2) the employment of PPP members who studied in then USSR and Soviet bloc countries; 3) the released of PPP supporter, Baichan Persaud, who was remanded on a murder charge. These agreements were sealed in one night and prior to the PPP’s support (vote) for constitutional amendment.
·    On another matter of national import, Jagan’s support for Burnham’s policy was premised on the government granting duty free concession to GAWU for the purchase of motor bikes for its field secretaries. This too was honoured prior to support.
Some will call the above quid pro quo. In the trade union community we call it Collective Bargaining.  However, what is most striking is that both parties benefitted. And to this end it should be said regardless of what society may think about Burnham and Jagan, both men recognised the need for working together to deliver for their respective constituencies. With precedents set, the same can happen today. And should there be an absence of any concession between the groups it indicates that either the National Assembly and Executive do not understand negotiation and real politics, or they do not care that they have a responsibility to society/ their constituents.
The growing concern among the masses is that while the Executive seems to be intractable, the opposition is not leveraging the people’s power for the benefit of the people and society. For while the ordinary man and woman are subjected to laws, regulating our behaviours and sanctioning those who violate the tenet of these behaviours, our elected officials and their agents seem not to want to so hold themselves so accountable, under any law, for misappropriating our money (tax dollars) or acting in bad faith.
Failing to do this will be sending a message to this nation that the debates were pure showmanship, a waste of time, and errant officials are being enabled by this very Assembly who make the laws to break the laws. One also needs to be mindful of the growing sentiments that the masses are being exposed to lies, deceit, laziness, intolerance and dominance by their elected representatives.
As a citizen, leader, taxpayer and stakeholder, I call on you to use the power vested in you by the people, to do what is right and honourable for the people. The outstanding issues tabled before the Executive must be agreed upon prior to the budget’s approval since they give the budget the needed foundational strength not only to spending appropriateness but also serve to buttress good governance and accountability.
As leader of Leader of the Government Business, as the nation watches the House with gimlet eyes, yours is the premier responsibility to ensure it does right by the people.
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary

 

 

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