ANY leader and his/her administration that listens to those whom they govern surely cannot go wrong. This is a most simple but enduring fact of people and government. It is the people that matters; therefore, their fears, apprehensions, hopes, and aspirations must of course be of major concern and uncompromising priority for any administration. The successful and peaceful development of any nation depends on this critical realisation and practice by those who hold stewardship. Any ruler that ignores or departs from this truism does so at his/her own peril. The recent electoral destruction of former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning and the PNM, is a stark reminder of this fact. A government that strays from the ears of the people will face their undiluted wrath at the polls. But always guided by the people, a leader and government will hardly ever go wrong. They will always be rewarded at the polls.
The PPP/C Cabinet outreach has been a consistently enduring feature of their tenure, thus far. They must be congratulated for the wisdom of this innovative manner of taking the entire government to the people. This is the essence of democratic government – the leaders going to the people, and accounting for their portfolios. The citizens love this. It gives them a sense of involvement.
Such a system enables any government, for example, to have an on the spot assessment as to the functioning of developmental projects and as to the impact that such works are having on peoples’ lives. Cabinet officers are, via these public encounters, best able to judge their respective ministries’ management effectiveness, and are better able to plan future programmes with the people in mind. Citizens are always heartened whenever they interact with their leaders, and can have their say on matters that affect them.
The outreach at Linden was extremely successful. It was indeed timely, too, because there is a perception, very erroneous, that such events are occasioned only in the ruling PPP/Cs traditional areas. But the visit to Linden has destroyed such a falsehood. It was very obvious by the reception received, that Lindeners were not only ecstatic about the Cabinet’s visit; but also are prepared to partner the government in the many social and economic programmes outlined for their town. Many of the residents there are finally beginning to approve of what the government has been/ will be doing for them.
No doubt, this administration has seen so much success in its countless transformation programmes. Thanks to the wisdom of the Cabinet outreach. They are listening to the people. They will be rewarded at the polls again.