Mr. Norton’s PNC rally speech focusing on imagined discrimination failed to inspire

Aug 07, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The PNC held a rally at what they call “Burnham Court” on the second anniversary of the PPP coming into office in 2020. While the PPP published its very long list of projects accomplished, the PNC Opposition Leader Mr. Norton focused much on why he did not shake President’s Ali’s hand at the Emancipation Day festival. He also alleged discrimination to an almost all-Afro-Guyanese crowd. But he also advised them to take all the goodies offered by the Government, since it is Guyana’s and not the PPP’s resources.

The nation wants a strong viable Opposition to keep the Government on track and keep them on their toes for good governance, accountability, and transparency. The Opposition must be a government-in-waiting as it offers alternative policy initiatives, gives reasonable, sensible critiques and is watching the Government like a hawk, asking questions, and seeking answers. So, Mr. Norton spending the bulk of his time to explain why he did not shake the President’s outstretched hand is uninspiring and underwhelming. Apart from assertions of imagined discrimination, the speech was quite empty. The PNC’s messaging must be credible and go beyond the race card. Mr. Norton said he was quite surprised at the attendance and did not think people will show up. If he keeps speaking like that, maybe he will lose his audience in the future. While he focuses on alleged discrimination, his supporters are experiencing direct engagement from the Government side and seeing some results.

Nation, how can we build a country if the man waiting to be President, cannot do a basic thing such as returning the courtesy of shaking the President’s outstretched hand? Does Mr. Norton believe most people agree with such an infantile strategy, and think it is a badge of honour? Gandhi said you cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. Another saying is “one hand can’t clap.” Does Mr. Norton not see that wherever President Ali, the VP and the PPP Ministers go, PNC supporters are delighted to see them, take pictures and want to engage with the Government so they can get resources to improve their communities? Demonisation is not a recipe for transformation and national development. Does Mr. Norton not want to see the communities of his supporters improved?

The PNC needs to engage the Government and make sure the national budget makes provisions for balanced development across the country. Such engagement requires ongoing dialogue and meetings. If Mr. Norton’s strategy is to boast that he did not shake the hands of the President, where will that get him? Although the PNC is a party committed to rigging, the President was magnanimous to extend his hand to Mr. Norton. In politics, you always shake the hands of your political opponents, even though you may not like them.

At this time, the most urgent priority is to get the Government to change course and renegotiate the bad oil contract signed by Mr. Norton’s PNC party. Mr. Norton has not answered the question whether he met with Exxon’s top brass when he visited the USA. Mr. Norton is also silent on renegotiation and runs away from that “R” word. Mr. Jordan and Mr. Patterson of the Opposition have been making swipes at aspects of the bad oil contracts. That is good. Mr. Norton needs to get on board and unite with the Government to bring the nation together on this very important issue. The PNC and Mr. Norton should not sit by and allow the oil companies to pump, pump oil on a fast track while the royalty is low, and then all the oil will be gone and our people remain dirt poor. Wake up Mr. Norton and make oil renegotiation your number one priority. Continue asking questions in parliament on the various projects. Organise your supporters to monitor the quality of projects meeting contract specifications. Dig deep into why all these infrastructural projects are costing so much. Your supporters control the Public Service, ask them to be whistleblowers if they are aware of corruption. Generalised assertions are not enough. To the Government side, I say engagement must be meaningful, not token. Solve problems proactively, such as collective bargaining. Don’t wait for people to march in the streets, burn things, and block roads before you act on solving problems.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Jailall

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