The Story within the Story… Three years later and some concrete blocks

May 13, 2018 News

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By Leonard Gildarie 

I have very close friends on the political divide. I love them deeply. We have fierce arguments that could convince some casual stranger who is looking on to conclude that the next few moments would lead to a fist fight. It’s how we roll, as the boys would say.

Debate is healthy. We have to encourage our people to speak up more and not be afraid. We are not going anywhere. This land, its resources, its governance, and what we get from those resources, will determine the quality of life we live.

It can never be our neighbours’ problems. We stay silent and expect Government and the Opposition to take the charge. The change has to begin with us, in our community, at our schools, on our roadways.

The Region Four Administration last week held a workshop for executives of Parent/Teacher Associations (PTAs). The thrust is to get the PTAs more vibrant. It is a good start. Somebody is thinking.

The management of many schools are facing major challenges, from lack of human resources to a shortage of supplies and a modern curriculum. I have said it before and will say it again…”Our education system is outdated and does not gel with the demands of our workforce.”

I know schools still do French. We have Brazil next door. We have to make Portuguese a compulsory subject, along with Spanish.

CHANGE

This is the age of computers. We have to start looking at teaching methods using large screens instead of blackboards.

The workshop hosted by the region is attempting to make parents play a more integral role in what happens at the school.

I clashed with a senior official of my children’s school recently, after what I perceived as a major breach, where a parent managed to enter the schoolyard during teaching hours and questioned a child.

Systems were tightened immediately after the Region Four education officials intervened.

I pointed out that as a parent, I must be satisfied that my children are protected when they are under the care of the school.

We have to pay attention to what our children do in school. Check their books. Question them. Ask them about their day in school. Speak to the teachers. Don’t drop them at the school gates and think everything is alright.

A bigger role for our churches, mosques and Hindu temples and the PTAs are but part of the fight to make this country great. It is our contribution to Guyana.

INTRODUCING STANDARDS

The Government has announced that, through the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, it has introduced a standard for concrete blocks. The complaints about the quality of local products have been present for a while now. There were no enforcements. It is a serious problem.

We take mortgages to the tune of millions of dollars and pay close attention to what we are spending in order to ensure that we stick within budget. However, there is little we could have done to control the quality of materials. From poor quality lumber to concrete blocks, the problems have been many.

We know of homes, which collapsed not only because of poor construction but because of inferior materials. The millions spent would have been wasted.

The move by GNBS will likely see training for block-makers to ensure they have the right mix along with the curing process.

The authorities like GNBS, the Public Utilities Commission, the Public Procurement Commission and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee must all be allowed to do their jobs.

The Commissioners and members must know that they have a clear mandate to oversee the processes and where necessary, to take the necessary actions. Do not be afraid.

I was surprised when the PUC, in expressing its disappointment with the Guyana Power and Light Inc., recently announced that it took a decision to fine the company for failing to deliver a quality service in keeping with targets that were set.

We have to remain on the ball.

THREE YEARS LATER

On Friday, three years would have passed since the May 11, 2015 general elections.

The elections saw the Coalition Government entering office, ending the two decade-plus rule of the People’s Progressive Party.

It is natural for us to reflect whether we have done well during the last three years.

I always believe that there is always room for improvement.

The Coalition promised widespread changes in the Public Service, procurement processes and a tackling of corruption.

Anyone who says that corruption was missing under the PPP/C would be burying their heads in the sand. Anyone who says that it is totally gone now is also fooling himself or herself.

We are seeing improvements, despite signs that our economy has slowed. Moreover, there are reasons why it has slowed. Sugar and the state of the Guyana Sugar Corporation remain a major problem. Forestry has contracted.

Yes, it is a hard pill to swallow. It is time we privatise the sugar industry. The Government has fortunately moved in this direction and there are reportedly some serious offers on the table. We have to ensure that our workers and Guyana benefit.

The city and its roads are in a much better shape. The city is clearly looking and smelling a little better. The Guyana Revenue Authority is reporting better collections because of attention being paid to a number of key areas, like smuggling and corruption on the wharves.

I see crimes are being solved. Some files on cold cases have been closed. The police are more civil, though still quick to slyly ask for a raise. There are more announcements of training for public servants, the police and the procurement folks.

At the level of the constitutional bodies, we have given them a shot in the arm with naming new members. I like this. For years, we had people sitting who did little to fulfill the constitutional mandates they were given charge of. A number of them grew old with little to show.

The PUC is one that I decried. I am deeply unhappy over the governing of especially GPL, and the telephone sector. We have been “shafted”. The appointment of new boards that are given mandates to operate independently is a good start.

Local Government elections have started the process of injecting new energy into our communities.

There are some deeply unfortunate things, though, that need fixing. The operations of our minibuses need to be addressed. It is getting worse daily on the roadways.

Our NDCs and Town Councils still have not come to grips with their newfound powers because of new regulations that give them more independence to make decisions. They have to lead the way. I think more work has to be done here.

I believe also that the years of abuse, with granting excessive concessions to our investors, and the lack of monitoring, have caused us untold damage.

People are upset over the operations of Rusal, and what transpired with BaiShanLin.

I see now that gold miners are agitating for concessions on par with foreign operators.

We have to ensure that our investors are given incentives that will allow them to make their profits.

However, at the end of the day, we must ensure that Guyana gets the best deal. The eternal question when we are signing our agreements with investors should always be: what are we gaining? It has to go beyond mere jobs. We cannot waste our finite resources.

Companies like Rusal have to respect us more. We welcome investors, but it has to be in keeping with our laws.

There are so many things to reflect on for last three years that we can go on and on.

Perhaps the biggest issue for me is with the leaders of this country – from both sides of the divide – they could have found some common ground to work. Surely, surely, there is something that can benefit Guyana on which both the Coalition Government and the Opposition can collaborate.

The Opposition has stayed away from taking up the board positions on State corporations and agencies. Not good! The Opposition represents almost half of the country. We want them to work.

We have oil coming. The work is now starting. The interest in Guyana is intense.

Investors are knocking. They see opportunities. As policy makers, we have to be strong, and seek advice that is sound and ultimately to the benefit of this country.

We now hold all the aces at the negotiating table.

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