Unfulfilled promises

Oct 09, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Recently, the President gave a positive assessment on the performance of his Cabinet. As usual, he spoke glowingly of the progress his government has made during the past year, but listed no plans to end the misconduct of public officials.
However, he identified agriculture and mining as the two main pillars of the economy and the potential impact of the recent discovery of oil would have on the country. Contrary to his views, many, including the opposition, believe that the government has not done much to improve the economy and hence the lives of the masses since taking office.
While the President tries to sell his dreams of his “GREEN AGENDA” to the people, he has provided no explanation of how it will be achieved. Leadership is less about words and more about action. This combination of standards is linked to the sense of shame we often feel or are supposed to feel when we commit a wrongful act.
Despite the nice-sounding platitudes uttered by those in government, it is the behaviour that counts. And while this government has promised to be accountable and transparent to the people, the nation is waiting for an explanation as to why due diligence was not properly done on the Ambassador to Kuwait who as reported in the media was fraudulently convicted in the United Statesby the Security and Exchange Commission.
The life of the current Government has reached fifteen months and so it is a good time for reflection and analysis of what has been achieved over this period. There is a maxim by which disciplined leaders are guided by that simply says “keep your promises.” One of the most important promises that the President made during his swearing in ceremony was that his government would be accountable and transparent. This has not been practised.
When in opposition, the government had promised a substantial increase in salaries to public servants. But after several months of negotiations with the public service unions, the government has made its final offer of 10 percent to those making less than $99,000 per month. Promises of jobs and to make the New York Diaspora into a department were also made to members of several PNCR-New York groups. The latter has not been fulfilled.
And it seems that the culture of corruption is continuing despite promises to stamp it out. The question everyone should ask: How many, if any, pre-and post-election promises have been kept by the government?
There is only so must trust that words can buy. The government ought to know that actions speak louder than words. The people are longing for answers; they want to see action on the promises the government has made in order to assess its performance. This is an important benchmark of the promise of accountability by the government.
In terms of promises that are not kept, many believe that there is no clear distinction between the former and the current government. The reason is simple, all politicians would make promises during elections in order to gain votes, knowingly fully well that many promises cannot be fulfilled, and the consequences if any, for such practice.
Guyanese from all walks of life have made sacrifices, thus it is reasonable to ask members of the government to do the same. It is simply unrealistic for anyone to make promises he/she cannot fulfill.

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