NO one could deny that civil society has an important role to play in the governance processes of the country. In fact, the PPP/C administration has always embraced civil society as a partner in development and had even incorporated a “civic” component into the party.

It could be recalled that prior to the holding of the October 1992 General and Regional Elections, the leadership of the PPP took a decision to invite members of civil society to become part of the leadership of the PPP in a structured way.

Following the victory of the PPP/C at the 1992 elections, the civic component of the party became integrally involved in the governance processes, with many of them becoming part of the PPP/C Cabinet and holding senior executive positions. Among those were Samuel Hinds who became the longest-serving Prime Minister in Guyana and who briefly served as President of Guyana following the passing of former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in 1997.

The civic component of the PPP remains a success story of a partnership between a political party and civil society.  The bond between the PPP and its civic component has not only survived time but also grew stronger; this is an indication of the importance the PPP placed on its bonding with civil society.

The civic component was the brainchild of the late President Jagan, who wanted to create opportunities for individuals and groups who might not be members or supporters of the PPP or who might not share the political or ideological positions of the party, but who are genuinely committed to the process of national development and wanted to become meaningfully engaged.

There is no doubt that the PPP values, very highly, the role of civil society and its contribution to Guyana. As pointed out by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali: “The PPP/C government believes strongly that civil society has an important role to play in any democratic society. But in civil society a role cannot be convenient, or the truth cannot be convenient.

“And we cannot confuse civil society with individual organisations, that is, organisations that are run by individuals or are not open to the wider membership of our country. Those organisations cannot be the conscience or truth or the conscience of society when they are convenient in the way they address issues.”

It is no secret that there are a number of individuals and groups under the guise of being members of civil society who attack the PPP/C in ways that are not only unfounded but are clearly partisan, and with only one objective in mind, to denigrate the achievements of the PPP/C administration.

Interestingly, many of those very civil society organisations that are now accusing the PPP/C administration of lack of transparency and accountability were silent when attempts were made by forces presumably aligned to the APNU+AFC regime to rig the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. To now speak about lack of transparency at a time when the country is on the road to transformation and modernisation does ring hollow and smacks of a fair degree of hypocrisy and political bias.

Not so long ago, a number of civil society groups had cause to disassociate themselves from statements made, allegedly, on their behalf. This does not augur well for the credibility of civil society and its image as a serious contributor to the national discourse on the way forward for Guyana.

All of this is not to suggest that the PPP/C is beyond criticism or ought to be intolerant of criticisms, especially when such criticisms are constructive and well-meaning. In fact, President Ali has repeatedly said that he welcomes criticism of his administration, but it must be done fairly and objectively and not in a way to score cheap political points.

The attacks against the President and his administration are coming from some elements of society who appear concerned that enough is not being done to ensure that Guyanese benefit, in full measure, from the country’s oil and gas resources.

And this is despite the fact that the government had recently enacted legislation to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the oil sector, to ensure that Guyanese have the first call on those resources to the full limit possible.

These are some of those very individuals and groups that were silent when the previous APNU+AFC regime attempted to hide from the public the US$18M signing bonus from ExxonMobil and when the then Finance Minister exercised almost dictatorial control over the oil revenues.

The fact is that the PPP/C has been democratically elected to govern based on its elections manifesto and, as such, is accountable to the Guyanese people from whom it derived its political and constitutional mandate.

This does not mean that the views of the political opposition or that of civil society should be ignored. In fact, inputs from any segment aimed at enhancing the greater good of society are always welcome. President Ali has repeatedly said that his administration welcomes constructive criticisms that are geared towards advancing Guyana as a society. Such criticisms, however, must not violate the principles of healthy debates and exchange of views which would allow for critical examination of policies, programmes, initiatives and plans.

Those discussions, according to President Ali, must be rooted in facts and a pragmatic understanding of what is required and not on the basis of selfish agendas, biases, perceptions, propaganda and feelings.

Regrettably, there is more than a fair share of negativity among some civil society groups in society, some with dubious constituencies.

President Ali and the PPP/C administration must be commended for expanding the space for individuals and members of civil society to participate in the exciting process of national development. And the more, the merrier.