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May 20, 2019 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
Socio-political and economic insecurity is becoming a way of life for Guyanese. Ushered in by the APNU + AFC government over the last four years, disrespect for the rule of law, double standards, bullyism and general erosion of quality of life have not only gained prominence, but are becoming concretized in our society.
The no-confidence motion carried in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 seemed to have triggered a brutish endeavour to remain in office at all costs, without regard for the consequences such an attempt may have on our international image/relations, our people and the national economy.
As a starter, the issue of dual citizenship parliamentarians has been settled by the High Court and upheld on appeal. Yet within the APNU + AFC there has been confusing and conflicting positions.
The Prime Minister’s unfounded view is that the government should not entertain ‘split allegiance’ within its ranks. His memory needs jolting because this issue is addressed in the constitution, thus, falls outside the realm of his ‘split allegiance’ arguments, unless he is advocating no change to the constitutional provisions. At the same time, the President has found it expedient to appoint all four former Parliamentarians to arbitrarily created high level positions within various Ministries.
Such appointments bring into question, conflict of roles, duplicity, redundancy, and more importantly, duplicity of costs – a heavy burden on taxpayers and the economy. Additionally, it is unclear whether the President has unilateral powers to create such positions with concomitant costs without approval of the National Assembly.
Further, from the posture and comments of Mr. Harmon, carrying on in his new position, it seems clear that the APNU + AFC administration is hell-bent on continuing their mission of remaining in power for as long as possible. The challenges before the CCJ are at this moment pending, due mainly to GECOM’s reluctance/inability to respond to the Court’s request.
An argument can be made that GECOM’s current plans to commence registrations across the country aim at influencing/sending a message to the Court that elections cannot/wouldn’t be held before December 2019. One gets the impression that GECOM/government is unconcerned about the intently focused international community/cameras on the developments/outcomes of the cases before the CCJ. In essence, it can be seen as a bullying tactic that signals intention/potential defiance of a ruling contrary to the government’s likings.
Against the foregoing malaise, people have not only become appalled, but also observed that socio-political and economic insecurity is becoming the order of the day. Employment opportunities have disappeared, leaving many families without incomes thereby eroding the quality of life. Many are relying/expecting the oil and gas sector to serve as the shock absorber – by providing jobs, while others opined that such jobs may be an illusive dream.
In a nutshell, the administration’s continued flouting of the rule of law, and their defiance of truth/knowledge and obliviousness to informed economic and national development best practice strategies continue to downward-slide and concretize Guyana as a failed state.
Notwithstanding the potential windfall cash from Exxon’s oil and gas extraction over the next few years, the current attitude of the APNU + AFC administration paints a gloomy future of this nation, should they remain in office.
Yours sincerely,
Ronald Singh
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