GUYANA’S resources — including the Consolidated Fund, natural resources, systems and institutions, buildings and infrastructure, and the services provided by the State and Government — are the properties and responsibilities of the people. Every Guyanese, irrespective of identity, political association, or other diversity, must feel obligated to zealously guard and protect these resources.  
The deep sense of pride we feel when the country or one of its citizens is distinguished in the world must be met with corresponding indignation when our resources are mismanaged or abused. It is how we represent ourselves in the management of our resources and affairs that determines how the world treats with us. Consequently, it requires eternal vigilance to ensure that we maintain a positive image on the domestic and external fronts.

Revelations in the 2015 Auditor General’s Report of the misuse of the Consolidated Fund, including contractors being overpaid millions of dollars, should incense us. Mismanaged, misused, or misappropriated, the money still belongs to the taxpayers, and those responsible for its careless use must be held to account. The nation expects the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly, chaired by the PPP/C shadow minister of finance, Member of Parliament (MP) Irfan Ali, would address this matter frontally. It must not matter to this MP that malpractices occurred during the 2015 PPP/C leadership.

As the report is being perused preparatory to making irregularities known, citizens await officials, elected and appointed, who had/have responsibilities for these various entities to explain their actions through the National Assembly.

Where issues require the attention of the police, such action needs to be taken, lest a message be sent that some can abuse the people’s properties and never be held to account under the law. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is urged to do a thorough job, so that cases are not only taken to the court, but the culpable are also held accountable. Money coming from the Consolidated Fund that is not used for the assigned projects could have been used to enhance societal well-being in areas such as education, health and internal security.

Evident across the country are state buildings that are in need of dire repair, and that wasted money could have been utilised here, improving the buildings’ aesthetics and making them habitable and functional. For instance, the nation’s leading institution for research and development, the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NAREI), has buildings in Mon Repos which are meant to house staff and conduct the institution’s business, but these buildings are very decrepit. Conversely, there are buildings being occupied by persons who are not working with the state, whose occupancy of these buildings denies officers entitled to housing a right they are entitled to.

In the construction of roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure, it helps when they are properly done; because it saves the taxpayers the money that has to be spent when these infrastructures have to be revisited in a short space of time for repairs and rebuilding. Guyanese must be possessed of sufficient pride to reject substandard work. For instance, there must be rejection of constructed roads that fall short of internationally acceptable engineering specifications, which would also factor in climatic environment, and vehicular and pedestrian safety such as pavement and crosswalks.

Management of the natural resources such as bauxite, gold and forestry should also attract our attention. Prudent management focuses on the benefits brought to the citizens through proper accounting, inclusivity, sustainable development, and respect for the environment. Where it is felt the assigning of properties/land for extraction is tipped in favour of the privileged class and non-Guyanese, this perception must be addressed. Given that these properties belong to Guyanese, it is not unreasonable for citizens to expect officials to carry out their duty in a manner that facilitates opportunities, not hindrances.

Our laws are made primarily to treat every citizen as a human being deserving of dignity and respect. In achieving this, we must strive to ensure all are held to the same standards and play by the same rules. Those who have responsibility for policing the law must treat every complaint equally, irrespective of the complainant. The GPF must be assured of its independence to serve and protect the citizens without fear, favour, ill-will or appreciation. For instance, it is a traffic violation to jump the traffic lights, and any who violates this law, irrespective of position in society, must be held to account.

Similarly, in the management of the state and government affairs, it is reasonable to expect that officials take the time to acquaint themselves with the rules and laws directing their duties, and act accordingly. Failure to do so comes at a cost to society in dollar value; since the decision taken was not only a waste of money in execution, but requires money to correct.

Public officials, elected and appointed, are entrusted with the responsibility of managing the properties of the people. With this comes expectation that the service they provide would be courteous, timely, proficient, and consistent with societal norms. There is no denying that the public service needs to be professionalized, and the recommendations of the Public Service Commission of Inquiry offer such opportunity.

Resources of the state have to be managed in the interest, and to the benefit, of the people. It helps it we can intensify the efforts.