Dear Editor,
Mr Bates’s contribution to Stabroek News, January, 31 makes for interesting reading (‘Route 32 minibuses not going as far as the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling’). However, I would have expected the finger-pointing to have been directed elsewhere also.
No government possesses superhuman perspicacity or herculean capability − even when they have total control of a nation’s resources. A very simple reference may illustrate the point: Burnham’s Feed, House and Clothe programme could not be faulted for its philosophy. India’s Roti, Kapda aur Makaan programme has enabled India to feed its billions. Burnham’s vision of Guyana being the breadbasket of the Caribbean was not farfetched.
Why did his FHC programme fail? Because the people felt that once the government was in power, once they had marked the X at the elections, the rest is up to the government. The people refuse to recognize their obligation to put meaning to government’s programmes. For instance, young people were given millions in machinery, etc, to till the land. The people destroyed the machinery; sold out some. The initiative failed.
The government took the flak. But was that fair? There were structures in place. People disregarded the structures. The President and ministers cannot be everywhere and see everything.
In the case of the Mazaruni boat tragedy, reports are that the passengers were not wearing life vests; that the boats were powered by massive engines and that all the safety rules of river navigation were disregarded.
How is government or MARAD to be blamed for that? How many are aware that when boats leave Parika after being examined and recorded by the wardens that the captains would pick up more passengers along the way? How many are aware that passengers loosen their lifejackets while they are on the water? How many know that a now deceased ‘bush pilot’ made it a habit to overload his aircraft? How can the citizens call the police corrupt when it is the citizens themselves who pay the police for infractions of the law, instead of going to court and facing the music?
How is government, any government, to be blamed for failures/mishaps arising from the nonsense we do?
Until the citizens of this country can respect the laws of the land; discharge the requirements of their occupations; observe good ethics; we must point an accusing finger in our own direction.
So, let’s be reasonable and accept blame too.
Yours faithfully,
Taajnauth Jadunauth
