Dear Editor
EDITOR, while I am apolitical and have never voted, I have two eyes and I can see. People often criticise this government and rightly so, because they can do better. But when anyone compares this government with the last administration, they must admit that Guyanese are receiving much better service for their money.
We should not forget that the government is our employee, hired to provide the service of running our country’s affairs. While this crop of ministers is not the best in the world, they are performing far better than the previous administration. They are doing better in many departments and they are much more accessible to the common Guyanese citizen.
Housing, infrastructure, natural resources, security and the presidency are a few departments where every Guyanese can clearly see that we are receiving a better service. We hear of the challenges in healthcare, agriculture and education which seem insurmountable, but we cannot in good conscience blame this government for that. The evening newscasts and daily newspapers barely inform us of their successes while highlighting their failures. However, when I think back to a few years ago, I have to say ‘good job guys.’
I am sure they can do better; there is still serious intransigence among the leaders of many government departments and many civil servants are yet to embrace the change that the Guyanese electorate voted for in 2015. It is fair to keep their feet to the fire, but we must encourage them, lest they become discouraged or disillusioned and we end up with a similar government as before, or even worst.
My thought was provoked by two recent articles in which one writer commended Minister Harmon, while another writer condemned her for doing so. It shows how politics guides our perception of reality. So while I do not wish to choose sides in that debate, might I encourage my fellow citizens to admonish our public servants and ministers to do better, but while we highlight their shortcomings, let us not forget to encourage them when they do a good or better job.
Regards
Clarence Jones