Oil must unite, not divide us…let’s be careful

BHARRAT Jagdeo Government’s unequal treatment of the bauxite and sugar industries, the workers and their communities; gutting the Public Service of professionals; exclusion of Africans as Heads of Mission because it was felt none was so qualified; un-even treatment in budgetary resources in regions not won; disbursing resources or facilitating opportunities in the regions not to the benefit of those within, but to party comrades and cohorts, are experiences that have been to this nation’s undoing.

I note Jagdeo’s statement of not relinquishing his constitutional right in arriving at the Chairman of GECOM. He is in order. But it was he, as president, who mercilessly trampled the Constitution and the rights of citizens enshrined therein. The cesspool conduct of politicians we must not only condemn, but show zero tolerance for. Their political rights are not superior to citizens’ fundamental rights; neither do the office-holders’ rights vest in them the authority to trample the rights of any citizen.
Jagdeo deserves every bit of condemnation from society on his performance and must feel our wrath where necessary for his stewardship, past and present. His several acts against humanity during his presidency allows for a serious case to be mounted at The Hague for crimes against humanity.

Recognition is given of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) and Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU) efforts in holding those placed in privileged positions accountable. This must apply to the PPP/C and APNU+AFC. Given the chicanery of politicians and group think in abusing laws, treating the nation’s resources as personal property, trampling citizens’ rights and freedoms, behaving as though they are rulers of the people and not elected to manage their welfare, it’s in their collective to not ensure proper prosecution of any member of the clique.

This is where society must remain vigilant and ensure beyond the hype of the erstwhile work of SARU and SOCU, that cases are well prepared and argued to ensure justice. Vigilance must be the operative word and we must not lull ourselves into clapping too soon or assuming confidence in any of the group until finality of actions. Let’s not forget it’s not the work of the judiciary to make the case for those appearing, as its role is that of adjudicator and will do so based on the arguments and evidence before it. This is how good cases are lost and poor cases won.
Saying the aforesaid cannot ignore that Jagdeo offered himself for elected office, was elected by the citizens, and holds the next most influential constitutional office, i.e. Leader of the Opposition.

Respecting the constitutional right to freedom of association and to elect representative (s) of choice — whoever holds such office — Government has to engage the holder on behalf of the constituents represented. Such representation requires participation and involvement in the management and decision-making processes of the State, consistent with Article 13, which is the principal objective of the political system.
Objectionable though a person may be considered, it does not help society’s growth and development to deny any the duty and responsibility of the constitutional office one holds. Even if a person becomes a guest of the State, prisoners too have rights which must be respected.

I say all of this to make the point that in a country where the Rule of Law is designed to reign, it behooves each and every one of us, elected to constitutional office or not, in government or not, supporters of a political party or not, to recognise where our loyalty must lie, and what must be the principle that guides our actions and interactions with each other.
Thursday’s debate in Parliament on the Petroleum Commission Bill spiked my interest, given the excitement and venom on social media. It has not been often, since the 2015 Elections, that social media were animated about Guyana’s politics. This attention surrounded the parliamentary exchange between Minister Raphael Trotman and Jagdeo.

Trotman’s supporters applauded what they saw as ‘taking the gloves off’ for Jagdeo, as the PPP/C’s side became enraged their leader was called derogatory names. Incidentally, when the table is turned the reaction is dissimilar. The incident presents the opportunity to review the nature of our politics, because evidently both sides prefer to be giving and not taking, but in neither instance Guyana’s and Guyanese welfare is being positively advanced.

The oil and gas industry would be a new economy. Guyana’s resources belong to all and must be exploited for the benefit of all. In 1999, when the PPP/C Government signed the exploration agreement with Exxon, it was done at the exclusion of nearly the entire nation.  In 2017, when it is certain Guyana has the resources, plans for its exploitation must have the involvement of all. The Opposition, as despised as some in its leadership may be, has the right to involvement and would add substance to the debates. At times, the best of ideas come from the most unexpected corner and none has the monopoly on knowledge.
This Government must act differently and ensure all stakeholders — political and non-political — have their deserving respect in the State. The current corps of politicians is not learning from the positives of their predecessors, whom they often blame for divisions in the society.

Oil would play a major role in our economy as sugar and bauxite did, with corresponding impact on the people. As the Forbes Burnham Government (in the 1970s) saw wisdom in having a unified front in pursuing nationalisation, Leader of the Opposition Cheddi Jagan and the widest civil involvement were pursued to bring about national support for that government’s programme. This approach remains relevant for the security of our resources, borders, internal peace, and development.  Terrorism, internal division, sabotage, corruption and wars are fuelled by these resources in an environment where government feels it is not answerable to all.

Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, had attacked — rightly so — the exclusionary politics of the Donald Ramotar Government, citing the Opposition’s parliamentary majority and Article 13 of the constitution. In 2015, the APNU+AFC retained the parliamentary majority by one vote. Had that vote, plus one, gone to the PPP/C it would have been a parliamentary minority.

This Government must learn from history. What it demanded in Opposition it must be prepared to deliver in office. While Jagdeo and Ramotar pursued divisive politics, a matter of this national magnitude requires inclusionary approaches. Oil presents the opportunity to unite all Guyanese around a national agenda, which remains the clamour, and government must not squander. Society did not win on Thursday; self-serving and emotive politics did. This is not progress in the volatile 21st century environment.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.