– The dumb boy and the commissioner
It happens, almost ‘naturally’, when a newly elected government spends its first few weeks in office. What does it do? Assessments, analyzes, compliments and criticisms of the performance of that new administration to date.
Critics also often conveniently ignore hostile challenges, inherited environmental barriers and local or foreign intervention. The new dudes are sometimes evaluated only on what they promised during their campaign for office or re-election. A recent popular practice is to measure achievement, promises, failures, during the “first 100 days” of the job. So silly!
So when the Ali / PPP government completed its first six months, evaluations, criticism, flew thick and fast – earlier this week – of friendly editors, commentators, ‘analysts’, and yes, political / parliamentary opposition. Here follows, my not-so-normal street-trading observations.
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Who is this government? Performance so far?
Citizens who are under daily economic pressure and disease / public health threats and commitments of racial / political controversy usually find it difficult to sympathize with governments old or new.
However, I ask reasonable minds to remember this six month government’s ‘birth pangs’. Driven by evil, undemocratic, power hungry forces for continued control of power corridors – and oil, gas and foreign aid wells and fields. (But I will not be in residence after December 2018 or the five-month quest for power.)
Instead, I ask: who is this PPP uniform managing our resources and lives? Just who is ministers? Permanent secretaries? Chief Executives? army of advisers and consultants? It would take several pages to assess each of them. I leave it to you all. To know the old-timers, experienced enough to be senior ministers or silent counselors. Jagdeo? Ramsammy? Ramotar? Robert Persaud? Benn? Edghill? You all name four others.
Check the newcomers? Why Bharrat for Natural Resources / Oil? Who is Todd? Oneidge Walrond? Parag? Ramson? New faces with abilities to prove that youth can achieve? Another six months?
How have they done? August to January? Overcoming a smaller treasury legacy and discoveries of alleged ongoing robberies and excesses – the guidance of fellows Jagdeo, Teixeira, Anthony, Ramotar, Ramsammy, Ashni, seen as the inspiration for the indisputable Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar and Edghill, for starters. But we have to keep an eye on the ability to fashion policy into practically effective programs.
The honeymoon is now over. Supporters and critics are monitoring now. Openness? Accountability? Using oil revenue for everyone? What they are going to spend sugar? Failures include the botched distribution of $ 25,000 COVID grant relief. (Far too long – with reservations.) No structured press briefings from President and Prime Minister. (Name the 5 responsibilities of the Prime Minister). Why is there no senior support for Nandlall AG?
The jury stays out for a short while longer I don’t PPP man. But after the PNC power-grab evil, I am hopefully these dudes commit to development for everyone! And prove it!
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Two ‘realities’: Dummy and the commissioner
From time to time I am sorry that I am not your favorite academic-centric analyst and commentator given sublime quotes and prolix phrases. So I settle for working-class, sometimes creative, presentations.
I was once an award-winning short story writer (sixties / seventies). I really like ‘stories’. Last week I used a true story to illustrate the state of our prisons.
Here are two concise stories that are true. Forged settings. Socio-cultural reality in a country that still has some ‘goodness’.
In Sealand, the 22-year-old is dumb. He could hear a little but he can’t talk. He’s a needy hustler / errand boy. The 35-year-old Cuban woman wants to leave Cuba permanently. Arrangements are made with ‘Dumb-boy’ bad relationships. He marries the Cuban. She is happily married and lives in Sealand.
The new Sealand Police Commissioner thought his new home at the new location was safe. Until one morning at about four hours (4.00am) three fellows overwhelmed the female guards downstairs and charged into the Cop’s bedroom.
The commissioner was not too scared somehow, but he collected his wife and two children under the age of 18 and confronted the young trespassers.
Behold, the commissioner saw the youngest trespasser he knew growing up in a community from the other end of the island. The fellows never know that the sergeant at that time was the island’s police commissioner now living in a new location.
The Top Cop invited them to sit with his family for prayer and a very early breakfast. It worked. Ironically, the youngest became a security guard and left the other two offenses as well.
The two stories above reflect the mood and reality of emigration and one needy soul providing redemption through citizenship. The latter speaks to redemption by alternate reflecting friends, reflecting.
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Just three (3) to reflect…
● 1) Why do some political leaders like to impose their names and images? The recent Brigadier / President named convention centers, ministries, and our ports. He had buses, boats and bikes named after him.
The 6-month-old PPP dudes returned in old names for each ministry. But why dismantle Bertram Collins College of Public Service?
That was among the first acts Brigadier President at May 2015. We needed a training academy to produce competent courteous government / public servants. Why destroy it? Because of Colonel Lawrence Paul? What will the 28 terminated do now? This one needs clarification.
● 2) It is now Black History Month. Boy oh boy! I suspect that at a young age Minister Ramson finally turning his talents and attention cultural issues!
● 3) How do investigators come together with the capture of a young West Coast Berbice killer (s) Haresh Singh?
‘Till next week!