Civility must return to public square

THE present management of this state-owned newspaper has an interest in the society, all its peoples, and the effective and efficient functioning of government institutions, at all levels. When government functions, the state and its peoples are assured the needed security not only consistent with sovereignty, but that any problem, hurdle or conflict, can be overcome in the interest of the common good. No one will deny achieving this necessitates the arms, institutions and tiers of the government have to not only operate in conformity with the laws, but also be mindful whose interests they serve and are in service to: the people.
Consequently, this editorial returns to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. The M&CC prior to 2016 went for 22 years without Local Government Elections (LGE) as all other local government authorities. What makes the M&CC stand out, apart from being the oldest town, it is located in the nation’s capital that seats central government, major businesses and other institutions, domestic and foreign. Whatever the government in this town — local and central — does and whatever takes place here goes national and becomes the standard by which Guyana is judged.
Georgetown has gone through a phase recently where it was appropriately dubbed the “Garbage City.” This dilapidated state was largely said to be influenced by politics between central government and the City Council, due to different political groups that controlled these two tiers of government. Claims by the Council that it was being starved of funding and consequently opportunities for development, because the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had withheld same and did not honour rates and taxes obligations for government properties attracted the citizens’ ire for that administration and empathy for the council. That LGEs were denied for more than two decades also incensed the people. When LGEs were held in March, the people spoke and in speaking they denied the PPP/C any seat on the council.
The new council, even though it comprises some members who were there from the 1994 LGEs, came into office with tremendous goodwill. This goodwill should not have been taken to mean the council can do as it pleases and treat its constituents, the business community inclusive of the vendors and manage City Hall without regard for the denizens. This matter of the parking meters could have been handled and still can be handled better, mindful that councillors are in service to the people and paid by the people to work in their interest and under this new model of LGEs take seriously their direct relationship with their constituents. None is denying that mistakes would never ever be made. The reasonable among us would rather see where mistakes are perceived to be made instead of becoming determined to prove a point, to accept the wisdom in stepping back and looking at the matter through the lens of those expressing concerns.
The Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who has responsibility for local government, spoke out over the weekend on the matter, which this paper carried. From the minister’s comments it was evident he took note of the diverse views and offered to the denizens that the matter will be put on hold, pending due diligence and ethics. This was the best approach to resolution of the conflict.

The minister never said the project is dead or the council should not proceed. He was speaking to proceeding in a manner that could defuse the conflicts, and allow the council comprising many groups to address the matter and return to the public hopefully devoid of the present contentious state of affairs. Coalition government or multi-party representatives sitting on one council present potential for conflicts given competing interests, and this is understood. That having been said, a coalition or multi-party government does not prevent working to achieve consensus. In fact, it presents the society the best opportunity to witness diversity of views in action and consensus formed through said association and interaction.
The present administrators of the Government of Guyana have communicated on several occasions that its governance will be built on civility, social cohesion, national unity and inclusionary democracy. These commitments also influenced the support received at the local, regional and national elections. Thus when the mayor and team that visited Mexico and Panama on the meters issue, at their press conference of Monday, said it is moving ahead with the project, it created concern that the words of the minister, other members of the council and the society, meant nothing. Said approach poses risk to conflict-resolution and commitments the administration campaigned on. When Councillor Oscar Clarke in response to questions asked about the trip and project responded by saying “I have no apologies to make to anyone…” is making an untenable situation more untenable. Minister of State Harmon did apologise for his no-apology in response to public outcries, even though belatedly and partial, but this should not be seen as the new standard for state and government officials, elected or appointed, to treat with those whom they are elected to represent and paid to serve. Good sense must prevail and civility must return to the public square. The State and people depend on it.

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