Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:55 AM
Apr 17, 2018 Editorial, Features / Columnists
We have seen how the East Asian countries, including Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia have developed their into First World countries based on their economies. The common denominator that underpins their economic success is a solid social order cemented in the rule of law and riveted in the principles of Confucianism.
As a country, Guyana would not develop without a proper social order and it cannot continue to exist peacefully without the rule of law, which is necessary for economic growth and development.
After 50 years of political Independence, there has been little change in economic output in Guyana. The country remains dependent on foreign assistance and loans. Why is this happening? The answer lies in a number of issues, among them is the continued diminution of the social order, the rule of law, rabid political opportunism and massive corrupt practices in every sector of the society. These issues are interconnected and tend to have a single result, that is, the continued underdevelopment of the nation.
Social order and the rule of law are are under threat because of corruption, cronyism and nepotism. It is not unusual for senior public officials to routinely break the law and violate traffic rules with no penalty. The former Police Commissioner has even stated that senior government officials, because of their status, are treated differently when they commit an offence.
During the last administration, it was reported that some Ministers left the scene of accidents that resulted from drunk and reckless driving, and were not charged. The police refuse either out of fear or in deference to their rank.
How can public officials expect youths not to commit crimes when they hear about the corruption and irregular practices? These are some of our realities, which are antithetical to economic growth and development.
This government should learn from the mistakes of its predecessor in order to avoid such pitfalls. It can learn a thing or two, or maybe three that order in society is a necessary for economic growth and development and for everyone to enjoy their freedom. It will be ungovernable to have a society in which senior government officials violate the rule of law and where crimes are committed with impunity.
And it would be injurious and chaotic to live in a society in which children are sexually abused, women are raped and murdered, youths are neglected or abandoned, seniors are ignored or are not wanted, the disabled are not cared for and the poor are left to fend for themselves.
Neither can we have a society in which the political system is characterized by arrogance, elitism, greed, selfishness, racism and corruption. We do not need a society in which our youths are in a perpetual state of hopelessness, anger and frustration and where guns, drugs and violent crimes have and continue to threaten the social order.
The sad reality is that this state of affairs has graduated into profound distrust of thousands of Guyanese for the rule of law, the justice system and the government. Many believe that if one is not wealthy or has status, or is not well connected socially and politically to the ruling elites, then there is little chance of his or her success of getting justice.
This is the kind of Orwellian reality that “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” While this is the reality, those in authority and the opposition should join and fix the system for the sake of the country instead of resting on their laurels and criticism on one another.
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]