CRITICIZING FOR THE SAKE OF IT

Jul 10, 2017 Editorial

The leaders of the opposition continue to jinx themselves for their short-sightedness and criticism of the government on almost every issue. They cannot resist the shackles of negativity and the doom and gloom syndrome that prevented them from solving the country’s problems during their 23 years in office.
The lack of political effectiveness by the opposition has exposed their vulnerability and unwillingness to study the issues and provide sensible analysis. Instead, the opposition continues to sow seeds of doubt and discord in society.
But the government continues to outfox the opposition on local and foreign issues, especially on the border dispute with Venezuela which is currently being addressed by Good Offices of the UN. The government has landed many good returns from its foreign policy initiatives, despite howls of criticisms by the opposition. Undoubtedly, the benefits from many of these relationships with several countries have been very positive for the country.
The government has used its good friendship with the CARICOM states to co-host the CARICOM Heads of Summit in July 2016 after Dominica was battered by tropical storm Erika and could not be the host. And Saudi Arabia’s invitation to Guyana to participate in the Arab Islamic American Summit on May 2, and the European Union Development Days Conference held in Brussels earlier this month.
Guyana has always had a more robust foreign policy and higher international profile under the PNC government than under the PPP regime, especially during the Burnham administration. These relationships have always elevated Guyana’s standings on the international stage. They have improved cooperation between Guyana and the members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the South-South Cooperation during the 1960s through the 1980s.
Guyana has also played a pivotal role in creating the Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifesta), the forerunner of CARICOM. These noble achievements were done in pursuit of Guyana’s national interests and the well-being of its citizens.
History is not a one-sided affair. It is said that forgiveness is divine, but forgetfulness is a perilous endeavor in both politics and political discourse. The PPP is known for its constant criticism of government policies. As Guyanese, we must highlight the truth of what took place in the last 15 years of PPP autocratic rule.
It was no accident that during this period, Guyana was branded a pariah state; corruption skyrocketed, crime increased substantially, assassinations were rampant, lawlessness and contempt for the constitution and the people and the illegal trafficking of drugs had reached new heights.
Former Cabinet Secretary, Roger Luncheon, who while testifying in Court in the case, Jagdeo versus Freddie Kissoon and Kaieteur News, stated that Afro Guyanese were not considered to be ambassadors. With so many skeletons in its closet, the opposition should think twice before criticizing the government.
Nothing is inherently wrong with Guyana preserving its longstanding relationship with CARICOM and other countries. However, it is not just about being friendly with CARICOM member states, but by leveraging its various relationships with several states, the government has managed to haul in hundreds of billions of dollars in loans, grant and aid from the United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union.
The opposition has no compunction to be repeatedly wrong, and its efforts to constantly criticize the government is shallow politics—the politics of the opposition. The government has inherited billions of dollars in bad debt from the opposition. Some of the failed projects were the ICT, the Marriott Hotel, the Skeldon sugar factory, the Berbice River Bridge and the National Insurance Scheme. It is now in the process of discarding them wisely.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News