Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 27, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists
In Guyana, the consensus is that the government is slowly but surely making progress towards its goal of developing the country and provide a better life for all. Despite being in office for only nine months, many including some supporters of the PPP are convinced that the government has made and continues to make changes for the good of the country.
Even the leader of the opposition has seen the strides made by the government but he continues to criticize its policies. The public knows that his opportunistic mind-set will prevent him from recognizing the progress being made by the government.
It is clear to everyone that Georgetown which was dubbed the garbage city is now cleaned. It has once again reclaimed its status as the Garden City. Merriman Mall has been restored and Durban Park which was known as the “City’s Forest” is being transformed into a sports and recreational complex.
Le Repentir and Bourda cemeteries are cleaned and the Independence Arch on Brickdam as well as the 1763 Monument has been redecorated.
Based on public sentiments, many are happy that the PPP has been removed from office because of its massive corrupt practices, theft of the nation’s resources, contempt for the rule of law, the people and the constitution and their display of arrogance and abrasiveness.
However, most PPP supporters are still peeved that the PPP lost the election and have blamed its defeat on the bombastic attitude of Mr. Jagdeo and President Ramotar’s dull and poor governance.
That said, it appears that a tough race is shaping up for the Local Government Elections (LGE) slated for March 18, 2015. It seems to be a foregone conclusion which of the two major parties will garner the most votes in the city since they are facing strong competition from several smaller parties, including Mark Benschop’s Independent Party and the Legacy Party.
However, there is no disputing that the coalition government will have a real battle on its hands from the PPP in some of the towns. This battle may be seen as a precursor to the 2020 General Elections.
The APNU, on the other hand, has to develop a robust economic policy and a series of strategies to move the country forward and to counter the PPP propaganda, untruths, and distortions. Also, the government has to be in sync with the people by adopting the concept of “Grounding with the People” as put forth by the former leader of the Working People’s Alliance, the late Dr. Walter Rodney.
There is no question that the goal of the government is to be re-elected in 2020, but for this to happen, it has to listen attentively to the people and shift its focus away from the recovering of state assets and the celebrations of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary.
And the President’s enunciation to have a social contract with the people will only be achieved if it is carefully and methodically utilized as outlined by some of the great philosophers, the foremost among them being Thomas Hobbes.
A social contract is a very serious commitment by any government and cannot be conceived in abstract; it has to be an inclusive process. It can be achieved by the government if its vanguard position is to involve the people in the decision making process of governance.
That being said, it is clear that private citizens will flex their muscles to be the local authority leaders as opposed to some handpicked by the parties. It would not be surprising to see the major political parties taking a beating at these local government elections. This happened in 1994 when the PNC was beaten in the city.
However, whatever political defeat there may be, at the polls should not be seen as a sign of disenchantment with the major parties.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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