Can the government deliver on its promises?

Jun 07, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It is about high time for the PPP leadership to come to grips with the pronouncement of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM), accept the results and concede victory to the APNU+AFC Coalition. From all accounts from both local and overseas observers, the election was conducted in a fair manner, so for the oligarchy of the PPP to say that they were cheated and not defeated and that they do not have confidence in the Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Surujbally, speaks volumes to their integrity and character and about the decaying state of the PPP. They can blame everyone else for their defeat, but many of their supporters believe that the blame should lie squarely at their feet. After being in power for 23 years, the leaders of the PPP are sore losers as they now find themselves in opposition. They are concerned that the new government would deny them access to information and state enterprises just as they have denied the opposition access to the state owned media. At his swearing in ceremony, David Granger has assured the nation that he will be the President for all the people and that his government will not conduct a witch hunt or be vindictive against anyone.
And while the PPP continues its brutal criticism of the government and has predicted doom and gloom for the country, the newly elected government has embarked on a strategic road map to move the country forward and guide the people towards achieving the goals of sustainable and human development and prosperity within the next five years. This is in line with the Coalition Manifesto development goals of improving the lives of the people by providing them with food, clothes and shelter, integrate the standards and principles of democracy and human rights and unite the races through participation, non-discrimination and social harmony. The government believes that with such great prospects, there will be no need for migration of the nation’s best and brightest.
More importantly, President Granger has orchestrated a clean-up campaign to make Georgetown the Garden City it once used to be and this has spread throughout the country. The overall aim and vision of the Granger led-coalition government is the national and human development of Guyana and to make the country of choice for all Guyanese to live, work, raise families, worship and do business peacefully and without fear. These are elements of a country’s basic existence that the people have yet to master. It therefore begs the question: Is the strategic road map a pipe dream or will it be a reality check on good governance?
It is guided by seven principles as outlined in the Coalition Manifesto that firmly place the people at the forefront of the nation’s social and economic development strategy. These are:1.) Transformational leadership; 2.) Partnership; 3.) Transparency and accountability; 4.) Social cohesion; 5.) Equity; 6. Sustainability; and 7.) Sustainable urban and rural development. For the development plan to be successful, everyone, irrespective of race, ethnicity, creed or political affiliation must be involved in the process. Transparency and accountability, which reflect good governance, must not be mere buzzwords; they must be put into action. Also crime and violence, which are on the increase, must be brought under control. Corruption, which is rampant in the society and in almost all government ministries, state agencies and corporations must end. The courts must be updated with modern technology and all personnel involved in the development process must be professionally trained.
President Granger has made a commitment that if elected to office, his government would adhere to the practice of good governance; characterized by the principles of participation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, equity, inclusion of all and respect for the rule of law. Good governance assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account, and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making, especially in the allocation of the country’s resources.
Whether or not the Granger led Coalition Government would live up to these ideals is a matter which the voters will eventually have to pass judgement on at the next election. At present, the country has a number of serious problems that must be given the highest priority by the government. There is an ever-growing import bill that is not being countered by any growth in local production or increase in exports and an over drawn treasury. Also, corruption is rampant; crime, especially murders and armed robberies, are on the increase, unemployment is extremely high among the youths, and poverty is on the rise. Further, after being bullied by the PPP for more than a decade, the people are depressed, oppressed, and demotivated to do the right thing. They have looked around and seen those who obey the laws and play by the rules have not experienced success of any kind. Moreover, the stench of murders and uncollected garbage in the city and their neighborhoods are their reality, albeit with some progress, since the clean-up campaign started. Can the APNU+AFC coalition government convince the people that change is on the way and that they will have a bright future in Guyana? Can the government live up to its promises? Only time will tell.
Dr. Asquith Rose

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