Power resides with the people

Those who have knowledge of the political landscape in Guyana, and more particularly, of the tactics of the current opposition, would not be naïve to opine that the latter is not exactly interested in solving the country’s problems.
For example, after more than a year as opposition, it has refused to nominate a Deputy Speaker of the House and to submit the names of candidates to serve on state boards. It has become clear that the opposition is more interested in partisan and spiteful politics than in unifying the people.
The arrogance displayed by some members of the opposition is disturbing. Its leader’s perceived belief that he can solve all of the country’s problems is a pipe dream. He did not solve any of the problems while he was president. And there was no question he had the power to do so.
During his tenure, GuySuCo collapsed, crime increased substantially, corruption was rampant in every government department and theft of the state resources was extensive, yet no one was even reprimanded. Education and health care crumbled and a buckled infrastructure led to massive floods in the city and elsewhere.
Some of the statements made by the opposition leader are so ridiculous that one finds it very difficult to think that even he believes them. For him to imply or assert that the publisher of this newspaper collaborated with government officials to throw a grenade on his own vehicle with the intent to kill himself and his staff is beyond absurdity.
All this is said to say that the government should realize that calling on the opposition to help find solutions to the country’s problems is an exercise in futility. It ought to know by now that the opposition has been, and remains, steadfastly against any progress made by the government. Its only interest is to criticize, spread propaganda and distort the truth in order to be noticed. It has tunnel vision.
The truth is when a party becomes the opposition or achieves power, it has to be accountable to not only its supporters, but to all the citizens. The persistent refusal by the opposition to seriously address the myriad issues facing our society is not a good sign.
But it appears that the PPP will stick to its guns, because based on the Local Government Elections results, its leadership believes that the party could win the next general and regional elections constitutionally scheduled for 2020. This is despite the progress being made by the government in cleaning-up the once unbearable disorder in Georgetown and further afield, restoring key infrastructure, reducing corruption and ending the lawlessness in governance that was so prevalent in previous administrations.
On the other hand, the government should know that time is not on its side. The promises to improve the economy, create jobs for the youths, reduce the high crime rate and provide a better life for all, are being brought into even sharper focus, as not enough has materialized to date.
Based on data gathered, it is clear that many youths have become despondent and cynical of politics. A significant portion did not vote in the Local Government Elections. That was a strong and powerful message to the authorities that they will not be taken for granted.
It would be to the detriment of the government to ignore these developments and the administrators would be best advised to engage the growing numbers of youths who are still feeling hopeless. Youths are roughly 65 percent of the population and the government as well as the opposition would certainly need their votes in the next election.
In essence, power resides with the people. That must never be taken for granted.

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One thought on “Power resides with the people”

Surujpaul Rampersaud July 13, 2016 at 12:11 pm

Again, Mr. Editor I have cause to call you out. I am not a fan of the PPP, at least not after they governed during the last decade. However, you seem to have a personal vendetta against the PPP. Yes, I agree the PPP should rise above the fray, but you made no mention that in the last government, the APNU/ AFC used its one seat majority in parliament to make Guyana ungovernable. The country was brought to a stand still. In calling out the opposition to be more responsible, you should also call on the governing parties to do the same. What is the point of giving support when the ruling parties is taking a lone approach to governing. I expect you should begin advocating for one day every week when the opposition can present their issues to the table for debate.
Guyana is unique in that it is all about power. The governing parties are spending valuable time discrediting the opposition while the opposition is routing for the government to fail. In the meantime Guyana is in limbo.

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