Tolerance, apathy and common sense

Oct 04, 2013 Editorial

Over the past few years, but more particularly in the last 18 months, there have been endless exchanges in relation to the merits and demerits of a number of major infrastructural projects, touted as being the exciting future or saving graces of this country.
Expert opinions have inundated the collective psyche of the nation, and there are few of us unfamiliar with the fundamental aspects of these ventures. Salient points have been presented from both sides, and the people have listened, to whatever extent their daily commitments permit. They have exhibited unlimited patience.
In all of this, there has been the danger of such important debate being lost in translation – be it from a technical standpoint or in terms of proving economic viability.
There is little doubt that Guyanese are among the most tolerant people in the world. No debate required there. But while being tolerant has its advantages, there are challenges that test open-mindedness.
Financier and tycoon James Goldsmith aptly expresses that “Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbours of tolerance are apathy and weakness.”
Relative to those issues of utmost importance in our nation today – that will impact on each and every one of our descendants – it has become increasingly evident that apathy (a lack of concern) has crept in, and has allowed a mere handful of decision-makers among us to have their way, or at least think in that manner.
Weakness, in the form of a resigned acceptance, sends a signal to those in charge of the coffers that the all-clear has been given to proceed, even when an undertaking is obviously impractical.
There may be seeds of doubt entering the mind as to whether we are accepting the unacceptable, but clarity can be brought about by applying logic where the illogical threatens to take hold. As they say, ‘if something is too good to be true it probably is’.
As a concerned stakeholder, you need to ask yourself a few questions: Am I comfortable with a selected few repeatedly borrowing excessive amounts of money in my name (and recklessly investing it) that I, my children and generations to come will have to toil to repay?
Is it not strange that for many of these major projects, in particular the Marriott Hotel, negotiations were essentially being carried out by one individual wearing several caps, and who may in essence have been talking to himself? Is such an abnormality acceptable?
Is it appropriate that the intricate details of our country’s most expensive projects are known by only a few among us? Why is confidentiality of such vital importance as the stakes get higher? Should I not be fully apprised of the reasons we are borrowing all this money and be able to express an opinion on whether or not I accept that the benefits will be worth the risk?
Why are pertinent queries on these massive investments always met with suspicion and borderline hostility? What is there to hide?
Outside of the independent media, financial experts and those who are au fait with business and investment practices, the average Guyanese would barely be cognizant of the details and consequences of these stifling commitments – a burden that they can ill-afford to bear, given all that life presents.
Yet, it is necessary to remain attentive, because the nation’s money is being invested at unprecedented levels, and in highly questionable ventures.
There should never be apathy when one considers the US$200M Skeldon Sugar Factory and US$12.5M Packaging Plant at Enmore. Those were investments touted as being saviours, or at least significant boosts, to the industry. They have proven to be unnecessary burdens on our economy. In fact, the grief has just started when it comes to the Skeldon facility, in terms of debt repayment.
And so it was that before we gathered our bearings to deal with the losses heaped upon us by those useless behemoths, the urgency of a US$915M hydro project and a US$150M airport expansion took centre stage.
Breathing room is required in this frenzied period of activity. We need clearer perspective. Apathy and weakness may indeed be neighbours of tolerance, but common sense needs to move in as quickly as possible.

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Tolerance, apathy and common sense

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