Long-given promises and the realities in this Big, Beautiful, Blighted Land have turned me into something of a “Doubting Thomas”. (Thomas was the fellow who insisted on seeing his Jesus’ wounds before accepting that his Lord had indeed returned from the state of being dead.
During my days of being politically active, then long afterwards, I’ve seen and heard numerous announcements of massive economic projects, significant foreign investments, even grandiose (fanciful) promises to do with 5-Star Hotels, Forensic Laboratories, Corentyne Bridges and Highways to the sky.
Hold on! I know full well that the list just above can indeed be made real. I know too that there are often reasonable, valid reasons why projects can be delayed, including causes occasioned by overseas implications. It’s just that too many promises are empty and merely made for elections manifestoes, whilst others take so long to become reality that the ordinary challenged citizen sees them as dreams deferred.
Years ago, my friend Len would always remind me of my national projects checklist. Whenever a major project was announced, or even started, I would make a note of the date. Four, to six months later, we would check to see the progress of the project. Many were the reasons for nothing or little happening with respect to as much as eighty per cent (80%) of them. If you’re interested do your own progress chart. I hope more progress attends your project check-list, in the interest of national development.
Reasons for delays can be most convincing, valid – and frustrating. Since the mid-70s, Guyana has not been fortunate to experience a dependable uninterrupted electricity supply. A whole generation of young citizens, still here, has known blackouts and heard thousands of words of “explanations”. No new roads have been constructed in or around Georgetown recently as thousands of vehicles seem to be accommodated. Little West Indian islands can welcome really large aircraft whilst we are merely promised new runways and a modern terminal at Timehri. And we still import cooking oil and milk!
It is not that I don’t appreciate any government’s task to provide according to priorities. But we can’t live on promises when investors don’t suspect a friendly environment. But now comes the grand announcements!
From hope to happening?
I, like any hopeful, patriotic Guyanese, would wish, sincerely, that these economic dreams come true. In quick time.
I’m talking about the announced US$75M oil refinery promised by a conglomerate of companies based in the USA; (they hope, ultimately, to refine the crude oil they seem to know is around the Takutu!); the Reunion Manganese project to mine the ore around Matthew’s Ridge; the big gold find at Aurora; the highway from Brazil; the Indian State-of-the Art hospital; the compensatory funding from Norway and all such exciting, projected national windfalls.
Who won’t want to see our so-far-blighted land benefiting from those promised projects? (And I’ve even chosen not to mention the much touted Amaila Hydro-energy (colossus). And won’t a new government love to inherit such investments especially if they really bear fruit. If they impact upon the lives of those who will vote, and the lives of their children?
Let’s note these promises and projected benefits. Let’s pray for them to actually happen. We deserve them. With a government committed to managing those resources shrewdly, ensure the benefits really do trickle down to improve the lives of a challenged people.
And next time we must examine President Jagdeo’s views when he said recently that crafting economic policies based on what is popular in a particular period, may be a governance decision that could result in the gradual loss of wealth for Guyana. Interesting stuff!
The making of a president
Okay, we all seem to know, don’t we? He or she must have leadership qualities; political and governance experience; social skills to exemplify fairness, equality for/of all, upright, moralistic character and the abilities and refinement to be a Statesman/woman, both at home and abroad.
Wow! Those above basics just for starters? In other countries their candidates’ past must be impeccable, above-board and near to angelic status. Just where in Guyana could we find such “presidential material” these days? In the church perhaps?
For all of you planning to vote, Uncle Allan advises just a few criteria. So far we/you have a choice of David Granger, Donald Ramotar, Khemraj Ramjattan and Peter Ramsaroop. Very shortly, C.N. Sharma and about another dozen will, most likely announce their candidacy to be our country’s leader. My-my-my! Who are these dudes and their running-mates/prime ministers?
Party faithful will try to agree with their parties’ choices. But should that alone be a criterion by which to judge a candidate? Of course not! In this country there are few political innocents. Or none! If a candidate is clean but adheres to a party policy or past that is tainted that person should be scrutinized to see how independent they could be and how hard they try to shun and correct the wicked past.
You voters must also enquire what Ramotar has above Granger in terms of leadership and general character. Does Ramjattan have an exemplary personal life-style that Ramsaroop doesn’t? Their doings are no longer merely personal though these wannabe-Presidents should still be entitled to their privacy. What’s their backgrounds? Does working-class status qualify one for all the leadership skills a national leader must have? Can that cultured, qualified, soldier-scholar come down to earth and understand the suffering of all “ethnicities”? From Buxton to Blenheim? (Does he/she even know where Blenheim is?)
More of this will come from me on future Fridays. Knowing myself, I’ll never hold myself out as being fit to be a national leader? Ask yourself: What makes others feel they are fit to be your leader-president?
Try hard not to vote merely race or tribe. Loyalty to Party should not always translate as agreement with choice of candidate.
Discuss, ‘til next time.
Consider…
*1) Hear ye! Hear ye! The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is advising that “all containers leaving Guyana will be subjected to inspection using the newly-installed scanning equipment…”
*2) Our Sunday ’papers are taking us to little communities around Guyana. The places come off as quaint, romantic, pristine, beautiful – – and woefully under-developed!
*3) The Public Relations/Advertising agencies are standing by for the Political Parties to come calling! Bet the ruling PPP/C will call on the Guyanese-Trinidadian who helped the Trinidad People’s Partnership to power …
*3) Where to find A.A. Fenty’s Book of Proverbs and place names?
At Austins, Germans, Survival, GRRC, Compton’s Cook-up, Wilo’s Boutique, Guyenterprise in Queenstown, Survival Supermarkets, Macey’s Call Centre, Agricola Public Road and ND&S Furniture, New Road
’Til next week!
(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)
