GOVERNMENT must work continuously to show by its actions, its determination to base its governance on at least three basic principles: Equality, Accountability and Transparency.  In its implementation of these principles, it must do the following:

1. Provide full information on projects, programmes and decisions in a clear, timely and as widespread a manner as possible. . Timely updates on projects should be given, whether there is something new to report or not. Criticisms must be answered fully and immediately to avoid misinformation to continue too long.

2.  Recognise that public perception may be as important as the reality. The President must view his ministers and appointees mainly as public servants not members of his party. All public servants must be held to one common performance standards of Responsibility, Competency, Effectiveness and Fairness. Failure to be proactive in properly overseeing projects and programmes from conception to implementation should result in at least a reprimand, or at worse termination or some appropriate, punitive action.

3.  Any corruption claims must be treated seriously and investigated in as transparent a manner as possible and the results fully reported on. Government must admit mistakes publicly, and state what steps are being taken to correct them and what caused the mistake to be made

4. The President must respond to bills sent to him within the required time with an appropriate explanation.  Government must adhere strictly to the laws, if it is to be seen as a supporter of such laws.

5. The government as elected public servants must be seen to serve the people and not a party or personality. They must always be seen as seeking Co-operation, Reconciliation and Inclusion from all stakeholders and parties in carrying out their responsibilities. Government must concentrate more on constructive public engagement and less on the opposition motives and actions. Let the people judge the results, not the political promises.

6. Establish a “Minimum Living Standard”, using all existing programmes to prevent as many as possible from going homeless, hungry or without basic medical attention.  To support such a policy, government must use whatever resources it has to both improve and expand services to the least among the poor and increase their job opportunities.

7. More aggressively push to expand promising pilot projects into job- creating businesses by providing loans, investments and encouraging local and foreign investments in joint ventures. Like the Marriott Hotel, why not invest or partner with other existing or proposed ventures in agriculture and other areas to spur and expand development and job growth. Efforts must be made to sponsor investment missions from multinational companies with diversified interests to explore the various investment possibilities in Guyana from India and other countries.

8. Demand better service and value for money spent. Enforce the laws and take action against littering, public utilities theft, squatting, vandalism, incompetence and incivility in the public service and against law-breaking businesses that fail to pay taxes or fail to follow labour and other laws. Ministers and other officials must act not just react to situations.

9.  Quickly establish an Investment Development Fund to sell shares to Guyanese and overseas investors to help provide capital for start-up and existing businesses.  There should be investment in value added, processing, manufacturing and transportation ventures, and in other areas are solely needed.  Make sure Guyana gets its fair share of its resources.

10. Establish a Commission to independently review existing recommendations and plans for the entire justice system starting with prevention methods, investigation, prosecution, incarceration to rehabilitation.  The chain is as strong as its weakest link.  It is the quality of personnel, motivation, remuneration, training, equipment and leadership in all areas that must be evaluated and addressed within the limited financial resources of government.  It is time to re-valuate and restructure the entire system and not just patch parts or talk of plans without some proof of visible improvement, starting with effective leadership in some of these areas.  Justice delayed is justice denied. Time to start looking at both the leadership and the level of performance under them..
 
N. AUGUSTUS