Two years on, gov’t has finger in the dike; mighty forces crash against it

Dear Editor, Two years into its administration, the government of today has succeeded in disappointing many, including its own. What can honestly be said about its efforts? How do I-as citizen, consumer, taxpayer, observer and commentator, student, and re-migrant-perceive this latest cohort of leaders?

Many anticipated a cleansing rain of fire and brimstone; there has only been mild and measured movement, mainly justified. Blame President David Granger for this state. Followers appreciate neither the continuity nor the civility; but it is the way matters have unfolded and stand. Despite the opposition’s opportunistic media histrionics, the record speaks quietly and authoritatively. People do not like this; they have many more problems with what follow.

In the past two years, many have failed (or cared not) to discern that this society is in the midst of an existential struggle, perhaps a crisis, as dared to be initiated and powered by this government. This is not a cosmic struggle somewhere out there, but a Manichean one right here in this burning intoxicated land. It is an intoxicated land emerging from a twenty-year binge on financial fat, criminal capitalism, and political perversions of unimagined and unimaginable proportions. Forget about unprecedented; unimaginable it was. Now there comes national crawling on wounded distended belly the agonies of withdrawal. Distractions and red herrings abound from the responsible political purveyors and their commercial comrades. Debauchery and vice flowed like free liquor (it was); now sins must be atoned for; the extended family is not spared.

In the struggle for decency, legitimacy, and legality, this government has failed miserably to get across its stances and messages, it visions and objectives: It has been reticent in saying that the past cannot be continued; else all will be consumed even more. The government has the summit of the high ground, which comes at greater individual and societal cost. Much commendation is due, if only for desiring and possessing the willingness to face (much less clean) the accumulated offal from the national stables inherited. It is not just unbelievably mountainous; it is a range of monstrosities that real hardpressed citizens have little patience for either about the devastation wrought, or the cleaning efforts, or that they have to pay and in trumps. But paying is what has to be, and in more ways than already known.

Paying by citizens impoverishes government efforts. Some of it is overdue; some could have come later. But in a culture of chronic cheating at every level, none has any interest in books and records and paying fair share (or any share). This was the crooked steel that was forged in the furnace of fraud. Now this government manfully seeks to bend it. The other political people managed to evade their responsibilities at stewardship, and allowed allies and fellow financial travelers to help themselves and gorge themselves. They all did. This is the hard hangover; it is a St Vitus’ dance, in which the government beats a driving pounding (mind shattering) rhythm: Time to wake up! Time to face the music! Time to pay! Those who once soared with eagles must now roost with crows. It is real dre’d music.

Leading the charge into the valley of iniquity is the Hon. Minister of Finance. It is a dirty job that earns only curses for all the heavy lifting. He ought to be immune by now. But it is not just the crushing Atlas weight of taxes and fees and charges and levies and whatever else that cost money. The Public Security man is a spoilsport with his noise control decibel counter; the GRA man is no longer a friend (at least not in public), but one who is there to enforce and collect; and the Crime Chief insists on pursuing perpetrators and solving crimes. This is the new breed of leadership at work in this day in this cosmic battle in the mud. Who are these people? Where did they come from? Who put them there? Well, I did. But this is only part of the story as Guyana struggles to regain some conscience, restore some character, and rediscover its soul.

As if not to be outdone, the Public Infrastructure people are waxing loudly about integrity in contracts and performance. Whoever heard of such nonsense? Again, are these guys for real? They need an education on the established Guyanese way of doing things, and cease trying to reinvent the wheel, new tires and all. There are lavish benefits associated with those holding office and power, and allowing things to happen a certain way. Somebody has to set them right. So far, nobody has laid a finger on them in the honey money department. To be sure, there are whispers, rumours, and speculations, but traction and credibility are in short supply.

Editor, let me absolutely clear here: there has been the self-serving; there have been inexcusable mistakes; and there have questionable exploits. Still, I watch for genuine malfeasance (incompetence is there, but not that) to say go, but let there be a public accounting first. Now I take a random two-year walk into what could be hostile government reservations. Where do I see the Granger Administration standing in specific areas?

Sugar is not history. Finally! The president makes a definitive statement and at a critical forum before a troubled audience. As public statements go, this one is way late; it is going to be way too short for the political anglers in the wilderness. But there it is. If the president were a cowboy, his cinematic appeal would have been minimal: takes too many blows, too slow on the draw. Still, he is straight shooter, and that is what counts. For those who care to discern, the president is painstakingly methodical, managerially sound, but politically distant. Nonetheless, I prefer.

Talking about count, in terms of oil, everyone here is a Getty. And they aim to get the local man in charge. All eyes are on the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources; the people want lubricating and gassing up. Unlike the leader and Finance chief, he barrels forward before all comers. His is a rich mix, but his product is noticeably lacking in the sulfurous. His additives are soothing; volatility is managed. Contemporaries should learn. Incidentally, the gold glitters. The questions are: where, how much, and how to

get some returns. Sheik Zaki al-Yamani was colourful; Mr. Trotman will have to dazzle. Rigs are precarious. I observe.

On the security front: considerable strides; long way to go. I like. Taxes: they are timely, but terrible and terrifying; this is the equivalent of repeat root canals and no laughing gas. I dislike, but try to understand beyond the pain. As for education, I must ask: is there a vision? A plan? Who is educating whom? I am ignorant.

Then there are public infrastructures, flooding, and parking –enough said! Get a move on! Deliver! (I know: more charges). Next, there is agriculture, which is starvation territory. Why am I eating as if I am still residing overseas? All this canned and foreign stuff! How about some Agricultural Empowerment Zones, complete with incentives and bodies? I am lost on this one….

Social Cohesion makes guest appearances these days. There are too many other priorities. When I see it, I will know it. Last, there is Health. People are set in their ways and expectations. This calls for a real tough guy (gal in this case) approach. I place the minister under the microscope.

After all of this, how do I evaluate this government? In Wall Street vernacular, it has to be buy and hold. Stated differently, believe and wait. Like the little Dutch Boy of lore, the government has a finger in the dike; mighty forces crash against it, inclusive of the political, commercial, and social. Prayers are in order. Yours faithfully, GHK Lall