– Local government? Community management? How?
Because of this weekend’s Trade Exposition and Fair – GuyExpo – and because I have been reading a few letters-to-editors describing the PPP and its ministers in rather harsh language, I’ve chosen to mention, with some emphasis one rather publicly-vibrant one: Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
As both a retired and tired political fellow (’73 to ’97), I recall observing the verve, enthusiasm, even abilities of such People’s National Congress (PNC) young Turks as Aubrey Norton, the late Elvin McDavid, RHO Corbin, Simpson DaSilva. (That list of youth stalwarts and YSM cadres could be long!)
Fast-forwarding to the present era, scrutiny of our Cabinet ministers, their party activists and the consequences of their policies, implementation and behaviours leaves impressions of worn-out partisan political protagonists (PPP), unsuitable, less-than-competent decision-makers and selfish, destructive leadership.
This newspaper, contrary to Minister Rohee’s “assessments,” is rather responsible and conservative. I’m not allowed to be ‘personal,’ insensitive or vulgar – even in political criticism. In other words, our letters-to-the-editor, columns, editorials do not ’buse and cuss-out.
It’s tough to find some really ‘favourite’ ministers of government in this town. However, I’ll leave out my one-time favourites like ministers Rudy, Ashni, Robert, Gail, Henry and Leslie and focus a few paragraphs on current Minister Irfaan Ali. Why?
Young, but (purposely) overloaded?
Reminiscent of the PNC’s eager young Turks of the seventies/eighties, Irfaan Ali was sounding off since about 2000. Swiftly, he was made a Member of Parliament (MP) in the National Assembly of the Ninth Parliament (28 September,2006). Never looked back since.
I am not certain why I think of Bharrat Jagdeo when I observe this vibrant lad of a minister. Fiercely PPP, he was gifted specific ministerial portfolios. Of the young PPP brigade, only Robert Persaud might rival him for strategic responsibilities in the Cabinet. How does he manage?
Water, housing the nation and their ancillary services; then he is made to act as the minister of tourism and Industry and Commerce. The latter, of course, means he overseas Trade and Consumer Protection – (Huh?) So how is young Minister Irfaan coping?
I suppose it depends on one’s socio-political perspective when answering the foregoing. Minister Irfaan will be accurate to boast about the increased house-lot allocations his government’s programme has provided. But the poor employee cannot afford that piece of land, like-the better-off professionals. And even the house-lot owner is overwhelmed by the cost of building materials and the lack of roadways, lights and water in the newer housing areas.
Then the ever-smiling minister must reveal more about the numerous upper-level gated housing projects. Who owns them? How so? Are the Chinese developers on the Demerara’s East Bank denying the Guyanese poor housing space?
I suspect Minister Irfaan also misleads us about genuine Tourist arrivals and he should question colleague-comrade Robeson more when ‘new’ airlines are granted permission to court Guyanese here.
I’d like him to inspire is Consumer Protection staff to teach us more. I want him to influence the return of larger buses for public transport – without involving any nepotism or friendly insider – preferences.
Festivals, GuyExpo, the party’s purses…
Could you-all speculate, insightfully, as to why a separate Minister for Tourism, Trade, etc has not been appointed? (Whose original idea was/is that?)
Young Ali supports the ‘private’ super-star concert just as Mr Jagdeo did. After all, ‘tourism’ accommodates ‘cultural/pop-star tourism’ also. Right? However I recommend that Minister Irfaan really study an editorial, “GuyExpo’s unrealized potential”, offered by Stabroek News last weekend.
And I trust that at yesterday’s opening ceremony he did address the objectives of that exposition of terms of new manufacturing, trade exchanges, markets for emerging entrepreneurs and year-long assistance for producers from his ministry. Okay, his giant portrait around the Trade Fair looks good. (But is that really necessary? Closer to the President than Robert?)
Watch your health my young Minister. What time do you find to oversee your responsibilities as PPP finance secretary? It has to be demanding! Campaign financing from the locals and the Diaspora faithful. The party’s extension to Freedom House; fees for additional advisers before/during elections. (A well-funded party will never misuse government resources.) What responsibility! Even as aging presidential potential Robert Persaud superintends our vast national, natural resources and tends to his personal assets and facial grooming, Irfaan floats round the party’s top.
Why all the above? Because young journalists, I want you-all to scrutinizes, profile and assess all our political and governmental leaders; our commissions and boards of directors. They run our country! In our name!?
Local, community government? How?
Did you-all notice? Minister Ali’s Ministry (of water and housing) is implementing a Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP). Region Three’s cemeteries are being upgraded! There is a regional community enhancement officer, but what “local” government?
I’m all for the elections to choose your own village and town leaders and managers. But as long as central government’s stranglehold on finances and community projects continues; as long as the President withholds assent to the Bill with respect to local funding, I have to agree with one of the Kaieteur News’ panel of peepers: local elections will change little. Or nothing!
Consider, please…
1) Oh for the presence of the local print media. Retired diplomat Cedric Joseph’s letter on reparations, last Monday, and Gail Teixeira’s contribution on injunctions regarding child abuse took up hundreds of column inches. But necessary for specific readerships.
2) I repeat a beautiful but provocative quote used recently by contributor Yvonne Sam: “A mother does not become pregnant in order to provide employment to medical people. Giving birth is on ecstatic, jubilant adventure not available to males. It is a woman’s crowning creative experience of a lifetime.”
All nurses and real men should reflect on this female gift of life. Not death – in maternity wards.
’Til next week!
(Comments? Allanfent@yahoo.com)
