Oh, how I long for the good days at DEMBA!

Mar 05, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
On a Sunday in last year, I heard a radio programme on the Fire Service whereby a senior officer was saying that he paid a visit to Linden, and in examining and being informed on the type of system that was being used by the fire service many years ago when it was managed by the Demerara Bauxite Company as the ideal system they were contemplating to put in place.
Then not so long ago in speaking with an elderly woman she began reminiscing about her early years when she first visited MACKENZIE; she immediately liked the place, there was order and system, the entire layout of the community as was run by DEMBA, all public utilities were up to standard and efficient, everything seemed so organized and worked clockwise, the community she said, looked so healthy and peaceful, it was the only place from all other parts of Guyana she had seen that fitted in with where she lived abroad.
The well laid out drains, the lights came on at precise time, there were no mosquitoes, the fire service hydrants were all over, strategically placed. It seemed everything was well worked out, meticulously planned. Indeed those white folks did a fine job. And so long before her vocation was up her mind was made up where she wanted to live, and of course that was over fifty years ago.
Now, what that elderly woman spoke about is definitely not so any more. Mackenzie\Linden has made a complete turnaround. But as I observed, Linden is not unique with respect to” things falling apart.” This state of affairs is pervasive throughout this land. Almost in every area of service: the fire service, water supply, transportation, drainage and irrigation electricity, road construction, record keeping, health, postal service , education, the police service, judiciary, sports, the municipalities, natural resources, administration\ communications etc., gradually went under.
When we took over from our colonial bosses we didn’t last very long; things ran adrift before they finally came to a halt, thus the chaos, confusion, frustration, sub standards, mediocrity and lack of professionalism became the norm. We are still struggling today to restore them. Just why so many of these institutions\ corporations that were functioning so efficiently buckled when they fell into our hands that made many long for a return of what used to be?
We wanted to be captain of our own destiny, fine! That’s what ambitious, progressive leaders advocate, a people\nation charting and pursuing their dreams, aspiration and at their own momentum. Thus we designed a beautiful flag, motto, pledge and anthem that enhanced our pride, self assurance, determination, endurance and dignity. And it goes without saying that when we replaced our former bosses we took over their portfolio, their status, their houses, the soothing emoluments, and all the other trappings that go along with the high position of command, and of course more than anything else that of self importance. But unfortunately what was not equally matched was the high performance of these entities.
As mentioned above, the institutions that the colonials left us were in fine shape, very efficient and productive, one example is the Bauxite Company. When it came to efficient and proficient performance, I’ll say that DEMBA took the cake. At this industry, one witnessed administrative\management artistry par- excellence. Everything fitted so well, so neatly into place. Every worker would be promptly informed in detail by letter of his\her state of affair or that of the Company and its intention.
Now it appeared as if the company had a built-in DNA on its employees, every detail as it relates to their bio, very systematic and chronological, remarkably programmed. One of the most incredulous and ridiculous story I once heard bandied about by folks – not from the mining town- as they say was the reason for the company failing performance after the colonials left, was because before they departed they buried en-mass a set of earth moving equipment and destroyed documents, blue prints, etc.
Now here we are today in 2017, and in spite of the leaping advancement in technology, new and better systems replacing obsolete ones, we have not seen a corresponding leap in higher quality performance of services within the various entities, corporations, organisations, etc, except for a negligible few. The daily irritation, vexation and naked stress are so palpable that one wonders aloud just how do they keep functioning?
People still get the royal run around, time consuming long agonizing waits, told to come back tomorrow, next week, next two\three weeks for a simple transaction like a slip or form to be signed or pick up, a document to be endorsed by a manager who is always at a meeting, goods posted, some kind of infrastructure to be done, or some sort of utility component to be installed in your home, a certificate to collect, and may heaven help you if it’s a check that must be endorsed.
How many more years must it take before we can manage our affairs in a proficient manner like it once used to be having the benefit of advance technology. Can anyone say?
Frank Fyffe

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