Policy-making by neglect

Dec 22, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Peeping Tom… 

Kaieteur News- The ease with which Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), casts aspersions on the policies of others is matched only by his government’s startling incapacity to formulate policies of its own.

At a recent press conference, Jagdeo made yet another of his trademark superficial and thoughtless statements, suggesting that had the former President under the APNU+AFC government been in power, the Warrau migrants who recently appeared at State House would have received no attention. The comment, speculative at best and disingenuous at worst, starkly underscores a glaring truth: Jagdeo’s government has failed, abysmally so, to articulate any coherent policy for addressing the deluge of Venezuelan migrants now in Guyana.

To appreciate the magnitude of this failure, one must first understand the evolving nature of migration from Venezuela. Since the catastrophic implosion of the Venezuelan economy, over five million people have fled the country. Initially, only a  small number found their way to Guyana. But relative to Guyana’s small population, even this modest influx posed significant challenges, particularly in regions such as Region One, where the potential exists for migrants to outnumber locals. Despite these early challenges, the APNU+AFC government, under then-President David Granger, took measures to address the issue.

Granger’s administration outlined its position clearly: migrants fleeing economic and social persecution who were willing to abide by Guyana’s laws would be met with humanitarian assistance. Yet the Granger administration also emphasized that Guyana’s borders would not be a revolving door for unchecked migration (KN April 14th 2016).

This balanced approach also found expression in a “Frontline Village Policy,” a comprehensive concept note adopted by Cabinet to address the multifaceted challenges posed by migration and security threats. Citizenship, registration, security, unemployment, education, health, infrastructure, and social cohesion—all these issues were considered. The policy also recognized the broader security threat posed by Venezuelan instability, including incursions by criminal gangs (DPI Feb 22nd 2018).

Additionally, Granger’s government sought and secured international support for its efforts. In 2018, assistance was obtained from the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to aid Venezuelan migrants. UNICEF was involved in providing relief to migrant children. The United States extended aid to Venezuelan migrants in Guyana as early as 2017. These initiatives were undertaken at a time when Guyana—then not yet an oil-rich economy—had limited resources. Contrast this with the current PPPC government, which governs amidst newfound oil wealth but lacks even the pretence of a coherent migrant policy.

Jagdeo’s criticism of the APNU+AFC government’s handling of migrants is not just baseless; it is hypocritical. For while he rails against the supposed inadequacies of others, his own government’s track record is a damning indictment of neglect and ineptitude.

Since 2020, the dynamics of migration from Venezuela have shifted dramatically. The number of migrants in Guyana has surged, and these individuals are no longer merely fleeing economic collapse. Many now come seeking employment, drawn by the opportunities afforded by Guyana’s booming economy. Venezuelan migrants have become the backbone of the construction sector; without them, the sector would face severe disruptions. This shift in migration patterns demands a policy response commensurate with the scale and complexity of the issue. Yet, the PPPC government has offered nothing in the form of such a policy – except of course if it is in someone’s head.

Jagdeo’s government’s failure to develop a migrant policy is emblematic of a broader malaise: the inability to govern effectively. Policy formulation, after all, is not merely an exercise in political theater; it requires vision, planning, and execution. On this score, the PPPC government falls woefully short. Its neglect of the migrant issue is particularly egregious given the stakes involved. Migration is not just a humanitarian concern; it has far-reaching implications for national security, economic development, and social order.

Consider the broader context. The PPPC government has presided over an era of unprecedented economic growth, fueled by oil revenues. This newfound wealth provides the resources necessary to address complex challenges such as migration. Yet, instead of leveraging these resources to develop and implement a comprehensive migrant policy, the government has chosen to focus on empty rhetoric and partisan attacks. This is policy-making by neglect, a dereliction of duty that jeopardizes not only the well-being of migrants but also the stability and prosperity of Guyana as a whole.

Jagdeo’s penchant for deflection is well-documented. He excels at shifting blame and obfuscating responsibility, to distract from his government’s shortcomings. But his recent comments about the Warrau migrants reveal a deeper truth: his administration lacks both the capacity and the will to govern effectively. It is a government adrift, preoccupied with political survival rather than substantive governance.

What makes Jagdeo’s failure particularly galling is its context. Migration is not a new issue; it is a global phenomenon that has been reshaping economies and societies for decades. The experiences of other countries offer valuable lessons on how to manage migration effectively. From Germany’s integration programs for Syrian refugees to Canada’s skilled worker initiatives, there is no shortage of models to emulate. But such examples require a willingness to learn and adapt, qualities that are conspicuously absent in the PPPC government.

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

(Policy-making by neglect)

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• Peeping Tom, Policy-making, unchecked migration, Venezuela, Venezuelan economy

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