Dear Editor,
I am hoping to see something this year, something totally different. If it is the only thing of substance that registers on the consciousness, then I would be optimistic that other material things could fall into place, given time and determined effort.
The one overarching thing that I wish to observe is how the taxpayers’ money is handled. I am hoping that a standard prevalent (mandated) in the investment realm would find a home in the political arena here in Guyana. The standard I refer to is known as the prudent man’s rule. It is where other people’s money entrusted to the expertise and supervision of another is subject to great care and the highest ethical considerations. It is where other people’s money is treated as if it is one’s own, on penalty of public exposure and public humiliation.
Editor, I submit that in the almost fifty years since Independence, this poor country’s money has not been cared for in a prudent way, or anything remotely resembling the prudent man’s standard. For emphasis I repeat: it has never been dealt with in an honourable and above-board manner. Rather, the opposite has been the established norm: secrecy, non-accountability, and trickery. The communications of open book and on the table have been sparse, and when forthcoming laced with too much cleverness, and too little principle.
Right down the line of the last half-century, it has been a row of hustling, concealing, and then dissembling. It has never been otherwise with the taxpayers’ dollar. Never!
Thus, I can think of no other way, and no other instance, in which the new powers can separate themselves from the rickety past, than by manifesting clear and firm commitment to conduct the people’s financial business through a steadfast adherence to the prudent man’s rule. This is their hands and their hands alone. Unlike social cohesion and other thorny issues, budgeting and spending and accounting exist arguably as the exclusive purview of government. No cooperation is needed; no cajolery necessary.
The media can question – bring it on down; others can threaten audits, let them happen, too. There is nothing to hide, or to be cute about. I think that President Granger and company have a rare opportunity to carve out an unprecedented groundbreaking road, and then drive a clean transparent bus on it in the disinfecting light of day.
I do not foresee this as a superhuman exercise; it merely calls for humans of a particular calibre. Do we have them? In some instances, I say yes. In many more cases, I waver….
Historically, local power has led to money trouble. The back of that camel can be broken and set this government apart, if the will is powerful enough. Be wise so that every dollar is well spent and citizens are beneficiaries of the best possible return, such that the present and posterity can applaud. Time will tell what it will be.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
