Seeking direction and respectability

Mar 04, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

To say these are challenging times in Guyana would be a gross understatement. All is certainly not well with the people, most of whom are poor and are struggling to put food on the table or a shelter over their heads. It is downright outrageous to still see children living in squalor and so many homeless persons in the streets.
The high drama being played out in the streets against City Hall over the parking meter contract and the impending charges of ex-officials and ex-ministers of the last administration coupled with the recent ruling that presidential term limits are unconstitutional could have unsettling consequences on the country. There are unfolding crises that have hamstrung the government.
If the people are to believe the warnings of experts at home and abroad, the storm will not go away anytime soon and the impact could be calamitous.
Guyana is saddled with some serious problems and it is becoming quite clear that the people and not the government may have to lead the change that is so badly needed. Virtually everyone in the country including vendors, students, housewives, civil servants, entrepreneurs and executives are bending under the pressure and are crying out for solutions, but their cries are falling on deaf ears. What is worse is that the administration in its wisdom or lack thereof has woefully failed to reassure the people of the future direction of the country.
The government campaigned on a platform of change, good governance, accountability and transparency, but sadly, it has bungled too many of the key promises. The nation seems fed up with the existing style of governance and is forced to grapple with the current circumstances as though it is business as usual. The government would do well to know that the public is anticipating a comprehensive, realistic, far-reaching plan that will set the country on the right track and move it to the next stage of its development.
Guyana needs governance that is open, accountable, responsible and collaborative. The people are outraged with the state of affairs of the country, and many are fed-up with the present stagnation. They want to be properly informed and be part of the solution.
However, this should be of no comfort to the leader of the opposition whose harsh criticisms of the government are now like the wind that blows hot or cold air, depending on the season. His constant feuding with media operatives and entities who do not bow to his every wish, coupled with his divisive politics, vindictiveness and cussing-down of opponents have continued to raise red flags. The first thing the Opposition would likely do should they return to office will not be to focus on the economy, help the poor or create jobs; they would more than ever want to reestablish their “ownership” of the people. It will be hard for them to prove otherwise.
Guyanese will not be enthused to revisit that relatively dark period; they have had enough of the immoral cabal who mismanaged the affairs of the country and state resources. The people sent a message against such indifference towards them in 2015. They showed that they deserve better. They voted for change and they got it. The focus has now changed. They will need to speak out a little more about that which concerns them.
If the authorities are serious about improving the well-being of the people, they should take heed and craft economic policies to rescue the country from falling off the precipice. Only real and meaningful action will bring things back to a level of respectability that will allow the citizens to hold their heads up. Maybe it could start with harnessing the skills and talents of the productive among us.

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