Languishing in limbo

Oct 22, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

---

Kaieteur News – More than three and a half years into President Irfaan Ali’s tenure, his government Guyana has been marred by a series of unfulfilled promises. While the administration may project an image of being action-oriented, several crucial areas have been neglected, casting doubt on the government’s commitments to honoring its promise.

The government of Guyana, despite projecting itself as an action-oriented administration, has failed to live up to its promises in several critical areas. Delayed ministerial appointments, unfulfilled diplomatic missions, the dormant Order of Democracy, and languishing economic initiatives are all examples of promises made which have not received the requisite degree of attention, or so it appears.

In early August of this year, President Ali announced the impending appointment of a Minister of Local Government. However, more than two and half months have elapsed with no official announcement of who will hold this substantive appointment. It is inexcusable that the government should be pussyfooting with such an important position.

The failure to announce a Minister of Local Government, in turn has triggered speculation and rumors to the effect that the government might be waiting for a suitable moment to reintroduce the former incumbent who resigned amid allegations that were later retracted.

The delay in the appointment of a substantive Minister of Local Government is all the more disconcerting when one considers that the promise was made to make the appointment “soon”. So how ‘soon’ is ‘soon’? The President needs to act with alacrity in making this appointment. It is not an uncomplicated decision. There is no reason, for example, why the incumbent junior minister cannot and should not be elevated to this post. He has held the fort without public admonishment thus far.

More than seven months ago, the government said that diplomatic appointments were a priority. Yet, key overseas Missions, including those in Brazil, India, the UAE, and various European capitals, remain without substantive ambassadors and high commissioners. While a nominee for the ambassadorial post in Venezuela has since been named, this should have happened a long time ago. The absence of an ambassador in the midst of growing concerns about perceived Venezuelan military exercises near Guyana’s borders raises legitimate concerns about the state of our foreign relations.

Given the emphasis on relations with the United Arab Emirates it is a gross oversight that an appointment is yet to be made. In making this decision, the government may wish to consider the practicality of having an embassy in Kuwait and whether it may not be more practical to remove the Mission in South Africa to Ghana, the new center of gravity of relations between Guyana and Africa.

Over three and a half years ago, President Ali announced the establishment of a new national award, the Order of Democracy, to recognize those who contributed to safeguarding democracy in Guyana. Despite the initial fanfare, this award has languished in limbo. The failure to follow through with the creation of such an award is mind-boggling. The award was intended to recognize and honour honoring those who have championed democracy in the country.

The government’s Manifesto promised the establishment of industrial estates and parks for manufacturing, a commitment that presumably remains a work in progress. But why has this not been accorded greater priority? Additionally, the pledge to reduce bureaucracy, streamline application processing, and simplify the tax system has not materialized. These unfulfilled promises affect the ease of doing business and can deter potential investors from engaging with the country.

The government pledged to promote agri-energy through the production of ethanol, palm oil, cassava, and corn. Regrettably, very little has been heard about this initiative since its announcement. Using food to create fuels is by no means an uncontroversial decision and the least the government can do is to indicate whether it is going ahead with this Manifesto promise.

Promises made by politicians are meant to be kept, but the dynamic nature of politics often necessitates adjustments in priorities. Situations can develop, new challenges can emerge, and unforeseen obstacles can arise, leading to shifts in the government’s focus. This is an accepted reality in the world of politics, where flexibility and adaptability are crucial.

However, what should always be expected and demanded from any government is transparency and accountability. While it is understandable that promises may need to be revisited, the least that can be done is for the government to provide a comprehensive status report on its languishing promises. This allows the public to be informed about the reasons for delays or changes in priorities.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

---

• administration, Crucial, Guyana, Peeping Tom, President Irfaan Ali

---