DELUSIONAL!

Jan 19, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Since losing the election on May 11, 2015, Bharrat Jagdeo, the leader of the opposition, has predictably been relentless in his attacks on a government which has been in office for only eight months. Apparently he has convinced himself that he is the only person in Guyana who is capable of running the country.
Any objective observer who takes the time to seriously examine Jagdeo’s 12-year record as President would recognize that his view of himself borders on delusion. The truth is that the former president presided over the second most corrupt country in the Western Hemisphere, after Haiti. Guyana also had the highest crime rate during his tenure. He did not preserve the economic and social structures bequeathed to him by the previous governments or upheld the principles of statesmanship and etiquette as the leader of a state.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Guyana gained its Independence and was established as the first Cooperative Republic. But the Burnham-led government subsequently lost its way and the next regime lost power.
In 1992, many Guyanese both at home and in the diaspora were ecstatic at the defeat of the PNC government by the PPP, because of what was deemed the harsh rule and alleged rigged elections by the Burnham regime. But it took Guyanese a while to realize that they were getting rid of one monstrous regime, but had elected an atrocious PPP government that turned the country into a corrupt, drug-infested and criminal state.
While the public had given the PPP regime the chance to govern, it was secretly dismantling most of the respected institutions established. In a matter of a few months, the PPP administration fired hundreds of qualified senior civil servants and career diplomats and replaced them with unqualified party activists and cronies.
Yet, because of his youth, the nation extended an olive branch to Jagdeo when he assumed power in 1999. They quickly realized that he would continue the indiscretions of years past, and in the most dastardly manner.
Jagdeo did not bring with him the 1960s political baggage of Jagan and Burnham, but whatever he brought appeared to be worst. Under his presidency, extra-judicial murders took the life of almost 500 young men, drug lords were given a free reign and Guyana remained stuck as the second poorest country in the Caribbean. There was merciless marginalization and those who disagreed with him were victimized and systematically denied access to the country’s resources, contracts and jobs.
Despite his poor record as President, Jagdeo still believes that he is the only person who could lead Guyana, which is bizarre to say the least. His attempts to portray himself as the person who could solve all the social and economic ills of the country have raised eyebrows among the population. It is delusional.
While in office, Jagdeo reduced state funding for key sectors and places of higher learning, especially at UG, as well as health care and social services, but at the same time squandered billions of taxpayer funds on the unnecessary Marriott Hotel, the White Elephant Skeldon Sugar Factory, and on bogus contracts awarded to friends and relatives.
In theory, he supported the idea of alternative energy and a green economy, but he did not implement any policies to enhance their development. It was all a charade.
Having experienced the brutality, massive corrupt practices, contempt of the Constitution and political incompetence by the Jagdeo/Ramotar administration, it is highly unlikely that Jagdeo will ever be even considered to run this country again. Guyana desperately needs solutions to its predicaments, Jagdeo certainly isn’t the answer.

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