Do what is necessary

Mar 25, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Since taking office more than twenty months ago, the government had to face a population with high expectations and with the characteristics of everyone for him or herself. It inherited a failing economy, a high crime rate, a collapsing infrastructure, poor education and health care systems, massive corrupt practices at almost every government department and state agency.
The country was in a parlous and frightening state. And while it seems that there was no quick fix to the problems, the government moved quickly to instill some balance in order to calm the fears of the people.
However, since the elections, there has been relative calm but there has been a negative approach in regards to cooperation or the lack thereof between the government and the opposition on almost all issues. The opposition seems to believe that by not cooperating the stage would be set for another sharply divided elections contest.
Given the poor state of the economy and the high crime rate in 2015, the government did take some immediate corrective measures to reduce crime and prevent any further slide of the economy. It devoted its first year in office to steadying the ship of state by reducing spending in line with much lower revenue projection. The massive amounts spent on the jubilee celebrations, especially on the D’Urban Park project were viewed as a blip on tight financial control until people sent the word that the country was fifty years old and would never be fifty years old again.
The nation is witnessing lower production output, a shortfall in revenues which have negatively impacted infrastructure development, health care and education and a claim of foreign currency shortage. There are other negative issues which need to be corrected.
A wise person once said that humility is not a popular virtue with most people, but it is needed to get the job done. Not only are some ministers arrogant, but they are also in denial. Those who believe that they can fool the people have ended up fooling themselves.
The government seems to be inundated with complaints, especially about the parking meters, but finding solutions for the good and the betterment of society seems to be a great challenge. There are simplistic solutions to most of the country’s problems but it means having the best qualified people on the job.
The truth is the government is very slow to take corrective action in critical areas.
Guyana has an effective and profitable private sector so how is it that in the same country there is an inefficient public sector? Although they are not the same, the modus operandi of effective management should always apply.
There are several underdeveloped countries that have probably encountered and solved some of the same problems, so why not Guyana. The government should hire experienced and qualified personnel locally and from the diaspora to help solve some of the problems facing the country. Those in authority should humble themselves and ask for help.
Yet there are those who fail to see that they are as important as the government when it comes to national development. These are the people who must challenge those who are seeking to do everything to block progress.
How can dedicated people sit back and watch persons try to siphon all the foreign currency and so force the cost of living to rise. They want to make the government fail. As things go, should the government take the appropriate action there is bound to be a complaint of victimization as is the case whenever the Opposition Leader comments on an issue.
Sometimes a government has to do whatever is necessary. Things are no different now.

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