Dear Editor,
Public service is about delivering for the people by way of making appropriate sacrifices. Some view public service as the highest form of service to humanity, outside of religion. The greatest reward one receives from delivering public service is the level of satisfaction that comes from playing a role in improving the lives of others.
Every successive government has the greater opportunity to deliver better service than their predecessor. And it is for this reason the current government is expected to not make the same mistakes or experience the same pitfalls of previous governments.
There was a time, not so long ago, when politicians believed that committing an infraction against the society will only see citizens reacting for the proverbial ‘nine days,’ and then thereafter the issue is forgotten. Politicians usually waited out this period to continue acts of intransigence.
In this Information Age, by the touch of a mouse, what was said in the past is now easily retrievable and can be used to hold persons to account or haunt them. Conscious that there has been significant change by way of receiving and sharing ideas and information, a prudent government has to be more discerning in its actions and treatment of citizens. Current discussions as to the increase in salary for ministers and parliamentarians, etc. cannot be treated the same way as done in the past. We are today operating in a society where the citizens are more informed, desirous of seeing best practices in other countries replicated in theirs, and moreso understanding of their rights and responsibility in the body politic.
Citizens are also aware that offering oneself to serve the people comes with a corresponding responsibility of operating in service to the people and putting the nation’s interest above self. This is not to say the people expect elected officials to be deprived; what they expect is deliberateness in actions and respect for them.
In managing the people’s business there is a universally acceptable blue print that every government needs to follow and it is premised on respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law and time-honoured principles. Foremost, every government that comes to power on the vote of citizens must remember who they are elected by and to whom they are in service to: the people.
The litmus test for this government is how responsive it will be to alternative opinions, criticisms and public outcries. The David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government like the Donald Ramotar government, has an opportunity to demonstrate to the citizens that they are not insensitive as the Bharrat Jagdeo regime.
This government should also take note that the wave of citizens’ activism that secured change in political leadership will be the same wave that will hold them to account. The people desire meaningful change to the political circumstances under which their affairs are managed and some will fight for it, regardless of. Discerning and self-respecting government will read the tea leaves and act accordingly.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
