The leaders we deserve – ever available?

Ollie, Olive and our Oil

Would one of my late editors describe this lead issue – or my rendition of it – as a meandering “waffle”? Perhaps. But still I invite you-all to come ponder, cogitate, explore with me.

Just who and what is a leader? Why do we need them? Basic dictionary definitions of “leader” and “leadership” will speak of one who “leads”; as example, guide, mentor, director, head; is at the front or beginning; the principal or first with a group, whether participants or “followers”. The definitions are as varied, it is easily noted, as the actual meanings and roles and responsibilities.

In my offering last Friday I hinted that it is often a real pity that politicians and their “parties” are the best a society can offer to direct a people’s destiny. Whether as democracy or dictatorship the society’s structure and organisation produces leaders because the majority are content to just live and not lead anybody or anything. That’s why we often get the leaders we (don’t) deserve.

Of all the numerous categories of leaders necessary, I suspect that readers might realise that I am going to dwell on political/governmental/national leaders today. As is frequently usual, I am beaten to it partly because of the leadership tussle – which I long predicted a few columns ago – within the People’s National Congress (PNC).

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National leader: Pedigree? Calibre? Sincerity?

So in every area of a society’s existence there are a variety of leaders (necessary): religion, education, health, cultural life, sport, commerce and industry. But as stated above, today we spotlight political leaders. Thrown up to us by our choice, other’s choice or merely selected and appointed.

Take the PNC scenario. There are the individual political parties’ rules and procedures as well, of course, as our national constitution which all indicate how political and subsequently national leaders can “evolve”. But since their very roles will impact our daily lives most times, check their demeanour, approaches, their agendas regarding political or governmental leadership.

Be objectively honest! What are you continuously discovering about the veterans? About the younger, obviously ambitious hopefuls? What indicates that they have citizens? Community or national interests and existence as their primary reason (s) for their leadership aspirations (?)

Take time, my friends, to assess their character, background, behaviour, utterances – and yes “qualifications”. What’s your conclusions? Frankly speaking,I wish you/us the best with that for 2022. And beyond. I repeat: is it not an unfortunate pity that we (seem to) need “political leaders”?

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Oliver/Ollie, Olive and our Oil…

In keeping with today’s brevity, I’ll make this simple reading about what is looming to be an historical but complex national enterprise. Yes I refer to our instant international status as an oil-producing state and what it means – or should produce – for our less-than-one million population.

Take Ollie – “old” seventy-eight year old Oliver Ordason and his 50-year old paralyzed daughter Olive.

Ollie is himself visited with type-2 diabetes and osteo-arthritis all over. His retirement from a government ministry’s auto-repair department was bittersweet. The send-off gratuity lasted three months coinciding with his only child Oliver being struck down with a severe stroke. Tragedy! Poor ole Ollie. But just two months after, oil was discovered by the giant American company and its subsidiary. Ollie and Olive heard the words “oil-producing Republic” being employed locally and abroad.

It is easily appreciated that both Ollie and Olive now wonder – as do another few Guyanese thousands - just what the oil-and-gas wealth could mean for them.

Question assail! Would the government and all its new ministers in the sector manage that wealth for all Guyanese? In actual, practical fact? What confidence – born of professional, impartial oversight – is there that the new takings will mean added employment, varied opportunities and/or equitable grants to the more-vulnerable and needy first? And why can’t the incumbent political managers – with civilian oversight be truly trusted with the people’s oil income?

Having had keen interest in the debates surrounding the Natural Resource/Sovereign Wealth Fund which “dictate” the use (s) of the oil money, Oliver has decided to take his less-than-fit matured daughter to the first parliamentary sitting that has to do with the Fund’s expenditure. Watch for that couple. And just what do you plan to do before and when the oil funds are to be spent? Much more to come. (We are all civil society too!)

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Miscellaneous ponderings…

● 1) The fact that little Barbados can call snap elections with upgraded voters lists etc, makes one wonder: when will Guyana be ready for her next fair elections?

● 2) So we have to provide the newer, younger political leader-aspirants with opportunity to see what they’ve got? How?

● 3) What will Dr Ashni’s 2022 budget have for all pensioners?

● 4) Would practiced critics and columnists make reasonably good government ministers? Oh, just to be monitors and analysts they are?

● 5) Our new accused bigamist, Andrew Simon, has to be disturbed. Isn’t one wife a huge headache enough!?

● 6) My letter this Wednesday regarding the NIS (voucher/ledger system) and long waits for elders attracted significant responses. But will the NIS be moved? I must ask two top retired servants of this country – Norman McLean and Edgar Heyligar.

`Til next week (allanafenty@yahoo.com)