SETTING LOW STANDARDS

Oct 17, 2016 Editorial

The saying that the people get the government they deserve holds true in Guyana today. With slight improvements in health care and education, some communities in decay, a struggling economy and unemployment on the rise, the government seems incapable to solve some of these problems.
Desperation and hopelessness have enveloped the lives of many; especially youths all across the country. There is the resignation by some that things will not get better any time soon and that pulling the country out of the economic quagmire in which it found itself may be difficult.
Many, including hundreds of vendors are finding it harder to eke out an honest living. People have lost confidence in the leadership to provide a way out. But there is the belief by some political diehards who seem to hold on to any string of hope that the government can provide a way out of the economic morass.
One of the things that has bedeviled the government is its inability to get little things done for the people and take the grime off their faces. Many get the impression that the government lacks the political will and courage to effectively govern the nation and make the changes it has promised. Earlier this year, the Public Security Minister assured the nation that the former Finance Minister and other PPP culprits will face charges for their illicit financial transactions and the squandering of the taxpayers’ monies in defiance of the laws. Today, the Minister is singing a different tune. After spending $145 million of the taxpayers’ money on forensic audits and millions more on the State Asset Recovery Unit, the Minister has told the nation that the matter has to be placed on the back burner because of a lack of witnesses and not enough evidence to prosecute those allegedly found culpable of corrupt practices.
The government seems to be providing a multitude of excuses as to why charges have not been filed against those found culpable of alleged corrupt practices. The government will be making a terrible mistake if it thinks it can fool the people. There is absolutely no reason or excuse for not prosecuting those in the last administration whom the auditors identified for alleged theft of the taxpayers’ money. That money could have been better used to fix the potholes on the roads, improve education, health care and the lives of the poor who are in dire straits to make ends meet.
And while the economy is ailing and unemployment remains high, there are no real measureable achievements in other areas other than the cleaning up of Georgetown and appointing retired military personnel and other retirees to senior government positions.
Despite having 27 Ministers for such a small population, the country is overrun with many problems. Further, it seems that the promise of being transparent and accountable has been traded for wrong-doings and dishonesty. Guyana needs visionary and transformative leadership to inspire trust and confidence in the people.
At present, very low standards have been set by the powers that be in terms of morality, honesty and good behaviour. The story of the country’s ambassador to Kuwait, who the US Securities and Exchange Commission has found guilty of fraud and who prior to his appointment has not told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his conviction, is fraudulent and dishonest.
In other countries such individuals would have been charged. Ambassadors are the highest ranking diplomats to represent their countries, therefore they must be credible, honest and trustworthy. It also appears that the government has closed the chapter on the drug bond scandal and the controversial trip to China which suggests that it is setting very low standards for public officials, including Ministers. Many have lost confidence in the government because it seems as though it is condoning wrongdoings and misconduct. Its credibility will be shattered if it continues.

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