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I want to see youths join the constitutional debate

Jul 19, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am enthralled over the recent and ongoing debate in your letter columns on constitutional reform. There was Nandlall saying that Moses’ plan for a constitutional reform commission is mere political gimmicks. He opined that there is a parliamentary standing committee to deal with constitutional issues-which Moses is aware of and that the coalition is railroading the reform they promised in their campaign. Lincoln Lewis wrote. “I insist the faults are in politics and not the constitution.”
In support he quoted article 13; “The principal objective of the system of state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing opportunities for the participation of the citizens, and their organizations in the management and decision-making processes of the state, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”
In my opinion article 13, as a concept or idea pales in comparison to a large pot of hot water with a single tea bag inside- you simply can’t see its effectiveness. Albeit! Lincoln thinks that article 13 should be concentrated into some forms of solutions and called Bills taken to parliament to be given life. The idea of the common man is that a constitution is a set of laws by which a government governs a country- laws to which they could be held accountable. Article 13 is so vague that it is of little wonder that Lincoln said; “the politicians are in their best element talking the talk and not walking the walk.”
From what is written in article 13, my untrained eye tells me that the PPP/C acted in contravention of the constitution when they did not consult with the people and invested NIS monies on the Berbice Bridge -no consultation for Marriot too. Now the coalition is using the same road to divest Guysuco and the signing of the oil deal with Exxon-they have given the oil deal the status of “national security/ top secret” status.
How much more ludicrous can this govt. get! In the meanwhile the masses are for the umpteenth time being reduced to being mere bystanders. All said and done, article 13 starts with the words; “The principal OBJECTIVE,” objective it is, objective it will remain-a pie in the sky. The PPP/C has no interest in constitutional reform. Their leaders had thrived and excelled personally under the present constitution. With the fortunes of the coalition drifting further south in the hearts of the people-they (PPP/C) fancy their chances to achieve “nirvana” once again in 2020.
As for the coalition; their campaign was purely political postulation -tell the people what they want to hear just to get their vote. Now in power they seem clueless. COIs have become the order of the day. The politicians on both side of the divide (PPP/C /APNU/ AFC) don’t want any major changes to the constitution – they all crave the freedom and power it gives them. We need changes in the way we elect our MPs. We need to go to a constituency base system where we vote for an individual to represent us in parliament from each constituency.
Non political candidates must be allowed to contest too. In this manner our MPs can be the guardians of our constitution because they will have to be responsive to their constituents -the people and not a political leader. In like manner our search for a president should allow people of acumen from civic society to contest too. Our last two elections had resulted in two of the most mediocre individuals acceding to the presidency.
The constitution must be designed to attract charismatic individuals to run for the presidency. The immunity clause for the president must be rescinded and an impeachment one instituted. Our presidents must not be like god among men. I would like to see young people join the debate. Lincoln Lewis said that the constitution should be seen as an “instrument” – musical I suppose! So far the only ones dancing are the sixty five seat holders in collusion with their masters (political leaders). They have been dancing since independence-no wonder Guyana remain in checkmate.
Rudolph Singh

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