PUT UP OR SHUT UP

Jul 01, 2016 Editorial

Public trust within the ambit of governance addresses the conduct and activities of ruling elites and members of the opposition. It is predicated on the public’s belief that elected officials will act in the right way that either narrows or eliminates disparities between expectations of outcomes and actual outcomes.
Public trust affects actions and public confidence impacts outcomes, and in these two inseparable concepts lie transformative and visionary leaders. Public trust and confidence in government tend to wane when there are no visionary or transformative leaders. Trust is essential in building confidence. However, the citizens of Guyana expect the government to act on their behalf and in the interest of the country.
Last year, the people elected the current administration and have placed their confidence in it to serve their needs efficiently, effectively and fairly. But so far the government has not articulated any clear policy or disseminated information to do so. It has not reacted to public concerns in a timely manner and has not been transparent either. It has cultivated walls of secrecy and mountains of obfuscation as mechanisms to avoid criticism or public scrutiny. This has weakened the public confidence and trust in the government.
It is alleged by some that the government is on a crusade to establish good governance and as being accountable and transparent by touting decency and integrity as its enduring qualities. However, it has not provided any explanation to the public on perceived scandals and allegations of misconduct.
Simply put, the government must come clean with the people if it is to maintain their confidence. It should not fool itself into believing and subscribing to the annoyingly falsehood that the people do not deserve an explanation. Such belief could lead to self-destruction.
Public trust is an important barometer of public satisfaction which comes with significant electoral consequences. Lack of public trust had created a political environment in the country which made it difficult for the previous government to be reelected. The primary reason being it did nothing to curb corruption or the waste of public funds. It allowed misconduct by public officials and did not do anything to prevent executive thuggery in government entities.
In politics, the dynamic of public trust and confidence are quintessential to the development of policies that lead to good governance. Positive performance increases public trust and confidence in governments as it displays the clear ability to perform. Negative performance, of course, is the opposite. It highlights inadequacy. However, public trust and confidence have changed over time based on government’s actions, perceived outcomes and the people’s perceptions. The government should be aware that its failure to serve the needs of the people adequately could result in far-reaching consequences.
Fortunately it can be said that Guyana has credible and functional state apparatuses, evident in the three branches of government—executive, legislative, judiciary—as well as the Fourth Estate, the media. So it is a pity that after one year in office, the government has not aggressively taken the bull by the horns – it has taken only incremental steps in key areas. It has effectively reduced corruption and has put a relative dent on crime and the trafficking of drugs, but it is struggling to curb the abuses of office.
When in opposition, it had promised to prosecute those found culpable of corruption and misuse of state funds. But after numerous forensic audits that cost the taxpayers nearly $150 million, no one has been charged. And although there are rumours of charges pending, the administration has admitted that there is not sufficient evidence that could stand-up in a court of law, yet the audits continue. The time has come for the government to “put-up or shut-up.”

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