Dear Editor
THOSE in society who fought for change in the manner in which the government functions and elected representatives conduct the people’s business carry a corresponding responsibility to hold this new administration accountable to universally acceptable standards. People want this government to succeed, especially coming after years of gross mismanagement, abuse of State resources, deceitful and contemptuous politicians, violation of laws, time-honoured principles and transgression of workers’/citizens’ rights. If this administration had stuck to doing the things they said when in opposition and demanded of the PPP/C when on the other side in the National Assembly, the crises we are witnessing today would have been avoided.
Government is not managed by gut feelings and friendism, but by internationally acceptable principles, conventions, charters and laws. When a group who has made the decision in the first instance on the bond matter, from within has identified three to investigate it, such does not happen in an environment where good governance is held in esteem.
Where a minister today thinks it is acceptable to commit an egregious act on behalf of the State and refers to such as a “learning experience,” that he nor the party he associates with would not have allowed the PPP/C to do and expects a mere apology will suffice, are double standards and crass contempt for the people. Had a clerk committed a similar act that worker would not have escaped accountability under the claim of “learning experience,” but the matter would have been placed in the hands of the police where it rightfully belongs.
It is an affront to the intelligence of Guyanese to ask us to accept that the bad decision and abuse of taxpayers’ money in selecting the Sussex Street bond has to do with location and road traffic considerations, as against the bond at Diamond that meets storage requirements. A storage bond that houses the nation’s drugs and pharmaceutical supplies cannot be likened to the storage facility of the various state-owned health institutions. With proper management each health institution should have stock on hand to meet short-term needs, including emergencies, which makes the claim of “emergency” an excuse.A health institution, by its very nature, factors in emergencies in competency planning.
If elected representatives can get away with lying to the National Assembly and by extension the people, and keep their jobs, these same representatives have no moral authority to say to appointed government officials that they cannot keep theirs for doing the same thing. And should such be the approach to governance, this nation will sink deeper into the morass. Constitutional commissions are independent bodies, whose functions are established in the Constitution and conduct circumscribed by said instrument and the laws. If there exists a disagreement with a decision made by any constitutional body, such has to be adjudicated and pronounced on by the court.
Further to the above, those speaking out against this administration’s misconduct are being subjected to personal ridicule and denial of their rights and roles in society similar as happened under the PPP/C. That such pursuit is designed to silence persons so this administration can repeat the PPP/C’s mistakes and not be held to account should not be tolerated or supported. Equally, it must be condemned the thin-skinned tendencies by some in the administration to public outcries and their abuse of the people’s privilege. Ours is a representative system of government and those elected to represent us, whether a ballot was cast for them or not, once being paid by our tax dollars are duty bound to abide by established rules, time-honoured principles, and laws. The business of governance does not belong to a party or group. It belongs to the people who have elected representatives to manage their affairs. And whichever party or group demonstrates the inclination to see and treat the people’s business otherwise, we, the people must stand up, make our voices heard, and refuse to relent until the desired change is achieved. Good governance will never be achieved in the face of complicity and silence to wrong- doings. If it was wrong under the PPP/C it cannot be right under the APNU+AFC. Where the APNU and AFC in opposition condemned the PPP/C’s wrongs in government, they carry a greater responsibility to avoid said and similar wrongs. Each and every one of us must see to it for the sake of our and the nation’s growth and development.
Regards
Lincoln Lewis