Evading the ‘Peter Principle’

I plan to comment this weekend on the happy drift where we have people in high places without the acumen, without the experience, and consequently, the humility to recognise their severe limitations. This condition is referred to as the ‘Peter Principle’, that is, where a person is pushed, promoted or placed in a position where they become a failure, or as we say sometimes, a ‘square peg in a round hole.’ It is where a man, for example, in the Police Force or Army may be an excellent Corporal and a good credible Sergeant, but you make him an Inspector or a Superintendent and he becomes a dismal failure and this will, perhaps with one or two exceptions, be the case of our Government Ministers and Opposition personnel.

With the dynamics and reality of party die-hards, to overcome the Peter Principle is a difficult task. I had cause to seek legitimate help for routine matters and everything seems to await the fiat of the Minister. A routine request for the use of certain facilities at the airport, to which the applicant is entitled, but Senior Officers embarrassingly, not wanting to be identified, would say this is a matter for the Minister. I know of many instances, where citizens seeking an opportunity to serve, for which they are eminently qualified, senior officials could do no more than await word from the ministerial colossus. We have advisors with university degrees, stating what President Ali once asseverated that slavery and indentureship are the same.

This letter, with others, is not merely to criticize, but to hope and pray that existing power-brokers on both sides of our political divide would listen and deal with this malady, which if not corrected, can be a curse on this nation, what with our new found wealth. Let us find a way to discuss this matter as a mature people concerned with the well-being of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Sincerely,

Hamilton Green

Elder