Dear Editor,
ALONG with the frenetic pace of development and opportunities in Guyana, come unprecedented challenges, the management of which will call on every ounce of human capital available.

There is a heavy legislative agenda underway with much more waiting to get into the pipeline. And the Public Service, which is the administrative link in the chain, is facing a torrent of myriad developmental and social projects to implement, regulate and monitor. This is on top of the already heavy load it is carrying.

The private sector is also moving into uncharted territory with new types of business activities, business models and forms of ownership, requiring new rules and clear guidelines that allow them to carry on efficient and profitable activities within defined boundaries and with clear, legal compliance.

There are roads and bridges to build, which apart from the economic benefits, brings people closer physically and socially. Creative and equitable poverty-reduction programmes are being conceived and rolled out. The economy is being diversified and agriculture is being given renewed focus. There are initiatives in health care, education, housing and many other areas.

In addition to this busy developmental and social agenda, the country is faced with an array of external and internal challenges in the forms of territorial claims; drainage, irrigation and sea defences; violent crime, safety, security and policing; sanitation; fiscal management; trans-shipment of drugs; environmental concerns — the list of issues is long and demanding.

Navigating these challenges and transitions could be made a lot more manageable, given the political will. But this requires that all hands, including the political opposition, be on board

Against this backdrop, it was disappointing to see recently that the opposition said that they have no time when presented with the opportunity to consult and nominate board members to the commissions for Integrity, the Judiciary, Police and Teaching. This is irresponsible and runs counter to national interests to say the least. It is obstructive and a disservice to the country. In addition, it is unsupportive of the voices of the very constituency the opposition claims to represent.

CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION
While the role of the opposition is to question government actions, to present alternatives to government positions, and to represent a viable alternative to the government, the privileges and funding for performing the role of the official opposition also come with duties and obligations.

It is expected that they oppose policies thought to be wrong or counterproductive. But the opposition also has a duty to advocate policies and programmes that contribute to thoughtful and beneficial development of the country, including areas such as supporting the strengthening and enhancement of depth and quality of the Public Service.

Enhancing and sustaining the administrative and oversight architecture is key to the country’s functioning. But as mentioned, the opposition unfortunately did not consider the effort to work on the commissions mentioned worthwhile.

It is shortsighted to strategise that without representation on commissions, which in itself reflects a lack of support for enhancing the Public Service in general, will force government initiatives to stall out. And that there is some political advantage to be gained from this.

This type of short-term political expediency is counter to the interests of the country, including the interests of the very communities the opposition claims to represent. It is detrimental to all Guyanese, and may well backfire as people see it for what it is.

HUMAN CAPITAL, OPPORTUNITIES, INITIATIVES, AND CHALLENGES
Any country’s management puts strains on its government. This is true even under normal circumstances. Guyana’s unprecedented accelerated trajectory multiplies the demands several fold.

But Guyana’s challenges come with great opportunities to the benefit of the country and the people. The country has long been recognised for its great potential and the collective talents, abilities, generosity and hospitality of its people.

In response, a large number of initiatives are in the pipeline or are in various states of development — initiatives such as social programmes to assist people setback by dislocations in the economy, and efforts to make electricity costs lower for industry and individuals.

The time is here, the opportunity is here, and the need is here to harness and deploy all the human capital the country possesses to get the necessary work done to the benefit of the entire country.

The road forward for all Guyanese is greater collaboration, and engendering a sense of national pride and cohesion.

Yours sincerely,
Ron Cheong