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KNOWING WHERE WE ARE!

Jun 14, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

During the tenure of the last administration, the prevailing conditions in Guyana were akin to a sailboat floating on the high seas and waiting for the wind to blow so that it could move along its intended course of human and economic development.

But waiting on the wind was not what the people had expected. In the absence of the wind, the PPP government was unable to find ways to develop the economy, end corruption and move the country forward. For the last fifteen years, Guyana appeared to be in a vacillating holding pattern while those in the administration pocketed the country’s resources.
However, the people felt that change was on its way when the APNU+AFC coalition was formed on February 14, 2015 and subsequently winning the election May 11, 2015. Upon taking office, the government quickly realized that it was much easier to be in opposition than to govern the country.
Several mistakes were made before the government realized that it was more comfortable to talk about change than to implement it. The first step toward change is awareness and the second step is acceptance.
Acceptance means understanding that something is what it is and that there has to be a way through it. That said, the government has determined exactly where the country is and where it wants to take it. This is a very useful starting point from which the government can chart the way forward.
The people are aware of the changes being made in cleaning up the city, restoring Merriman’s Mall and the building of the jubilee stadium at D’Urban Park. They are also aware that after an absence of more than twenty years, local government elections were held on March 18, 2016. But some have claimed that the changes are cosmetic. They are wondering if that is all the government could do after being in office for one year.
The government is aware that the economy is ailing and that many, especially the poor and the lower working class, are struggling, therefore, it must take the proper steps to make changes and provide a better life for all. So far, the government has not let the citizens know exactly where they are in relation to its economic plans and development strategies.
Any experienced captain of a ship or a sailor will agree that knowing where they are on the high seas is critical, because they will know which direction to take in order to get to their destination. Therefore, it would be prudent for the Ministers of the government to take note that it is time that the citizens know exactly where they are, so that they can all agree on where the country should be headed.
The government should be careful not to ignore the plight of the people or the economy or pass them off as rhetoric or stupid noise. To do so is silly. It is time for the government to come clean with the people and provide them with accurate data as it pertains to the country’s economic status, so that all can work together to determine the best possible ways to get it moving.
The basic infrastructure in education, health, housing, social services and the justice system have shockingly deteriorated. The pass rate for students in the hard sciences is very low, infant mortality rate and deaths from simple illness at the public hospitals are high, physical and sexual abuse of children continues unabated, the housing authority is in chaos, and the long delay of cases has contributed to the overcrowding dilemma at the prisons.
These are simple problems that do not require the services of a rocket scientist to solve. They can be solved with a touch of commonsense and careful planning.

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