Dear Editor,
Yesterday, I opened the two newspapers and I read and there they are: three firsts, and all on the positive side. These firsts, if followed through and built upon, can lead to more of the progressive, so long lacking here, and so urgently needed now.
The Hon. Minister of Health is asked to make a public apology. Unprecedented! This sends several messages: be careful, be ethical; there will be minimum tolerance; it is a warning to others inclined to be slipshod or reckless or economical or cavalier with standards and principle.
Next, the president himself announced that there will be no more contracts for an errant, failing-to-deliver company. Again, this is unprecedented. For ages, citizens observed, with growing consternation, serial non-performing behaviour on the part of contracted firms; it did not matter to the previous administration that every breach imaginable occurred on its watch, and that expectations and contract terms were routinely ignored in such areas as quality of materials, standard of workmanship, and specific performance. In fact, the unpunished recidivistic were rewarded with tens of millions (sometimes hundreds of millions) in new contracts to perpetuate the free-for-all and partying at taxpayers’ expense. Now, an unmistakably mailed fist has been aimed and has completed its arc. Target located. As a firm believer in one strike and you are out in these situations, this is heartening.
Then, I read about the government’s intention to sign a reciprocal agreement with Uncle Sam to identify and corral evaders and likeminded others. This is long overdue, and the net would be sure to snatch and reel in known ‘big fish’, assorted laundrymen, and other former contributors (now victims) of the contracting economy. These folks must be shown the error of their ways in the most punitive of fashion. While this would not compensate for the multiple evils introduced upon a hapless society, some peace of mind could follow once justice prevails.
As an aside, I hear of too much power vested in SARU and similar agencies. Of course, since there were neither teeth nor bite nor power (or anything) that existed before, then any development would look draconian given the reference base. I happen to like draconian. And as always, those whose hands are clean have nothing to fear. Matter over.
Editor, I detect an inexorable grinding quality embedded in the sometimes slow, but clearly determined, efforts underway to set things right, and to pave the way forward towards more rigid standards, more accountable conduct. These are encouraging steps on the government’s part. I agree and look forward to solid implementation and more of the same. So let it be.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
