My Motto for the Next Five Years
Consolidation, Construction and Crime-reduction
By Gokarran Sukhdeo
Guyana Journal, September 2006
Congratulations to the PPP/C for a resounding victory – with an increase in their mandate.
My next congratulation goes to the Guyanese people for exercising political maturity, reasoning and rationality in arriving at their decision as to where to put their X.
Unquestionably, the majority of Guyanese voted with reason and commonsense for the party they believe will best continue on the path to economic development, a party that they believe will (continue to) make efforts to unify the races, and pursue a strong policy to reduce crime and thus create a more conducive atmosphere for Guyanese to move about peacefully, for tourism to increase, and for foreign investors to come in. While 45 percent of the electorate believed the best to be the PNC/Alliance for Change/GAP/ROAR/JFAP, nearly 55 percent were of the political conviction that the best party was the PPP/C.
In addition to the PPP/C and the Guyanese people, a host of others have played significant roles in ensuring the most peaceful and least questionable elections in the post colonial history of Guyana.
There is the indomitable, no-nonsense Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujballi and his team who conducted the process successfully in spite of tremendous opposition to the preliminary voters list and other seemingly trivial issues.
The Security Forces are to be commended for their professionalism in enforcing order during the entire volatile season, and particularly for dissuading any aspirations by anarchists to (continue to) utilize professional, career criminals rather than the traditional mob to derail the electoral process. This dissuasion was mainly effected when eight bandits were permanently eliminated a week before elections in Berbice.
Notably and significantly diminished were the nasty invectives by politicians and the press, invectives that have historically infuriated and injected racism and mob fury into the election frenzy. The press is beginning to establish roots in the soil of responsibility.
The media and all political parties must be congratulated.
I must not forget the foreign observers and foreign diplomats who have vigorously appealed for peace, and invigilated the election process to insure that no irregularity was committed, that would threaten that peace.
Now for the enormous task ahead.
From the campaign responses it would appear that President Jagdeo was more popular than other PPP/C members and hence (arguably) people voted more for him and less for his party. People were ambivalent, even on polling day. It was not so much hypocrisy of ‘bad mouthing’ the PPP/C and yet voting for them, as F. Skinner claims (in Stabroek News, Sept 6, 2006), but to a great extent, ambivalence. There are/were many allegations about complacency and corruption (real or perceived) among some ministers, ministers’ children, friends and relatives, and the close relationship between ministers and high powered crime which evoked terrible disgruntlement in many people. At the same time they see a bright and caring young president who waded waist deep in deadly infectious waters, even on his birthday, to cross social and racial boundaries and help his fellow Guyanese during the worst natural disaster ever to hit the country. They see a man who has almost single-handedly accomplished one of the greatest success the PPP/C can boast – that of reducing the indebtedness of the country and returning it to international financial viability.
President Jagdeo therefore must now realize that he is more obligated to his people and less to his party. He must get rid of any tainted stalwarts who have outgrown their usefulness, not to the party, but to the government and the people. Transparency in the government must be priority. Even professionals such as doctors and lawyers are suspects. No wonder the first question a doctor or lawyer asks is, “Do you have relatives overseas?” This, so that they can work you, like a licensed obeah-man. People at the lower levels steal because those at the top do. Corruption must be routed out at all levels.
The President should put an Agriculture Economist in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, one who would diligently address the issue of moving agriculture from primary to secondary and tertiary levels of production, thus enhancing the terms of trade for agri products, and increasing foreign exchange. He should also consider sharing ministries with opposition parties, including the PNCR/1G. Two other new ministries should be considered – a Ministry of Interior Development responsible for interior infrastructures – roads, hydro-electric, environmental issues, deep water harbor, and establishing settlements along the proposed Linden-Lethem highway; and the other, a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. It should be noted that there are probably more Guyanese living outside than in Guyana. There are many Guyanese complaining of bad treatment in some West Indian islands. There are thousands of Guyanese who would like to re-settle, invest or bank their savings in Guyana. The Guyana Diaspora is perhaps an even greater resource to the development of Guyana – a resource that is largely untapped, much like the hydro-electric potential of the country.
In this term ‘in office’ the PPP/C should be one ‘in power’ in which the passwords should be: Consolidation, Construction and Crime-reduction.
There is one great stroke the great batsman can play that will set the stage for a massive take-off in consolidation, construction and crime-reduction. And that is to earnestly address the issue of marginalization (real or perceived) of Blacks in Guyana.
Marginalization in Guyana is not based on statistical facts, but on fears; and fears on a perception. Perceptions of marginalization are either historically or currently founded. Historically, the races have always been thrown against one another by the masters of divide-and-rule and those politicians who have learned well from their masters; and thus the races have become pathologically suspicious of one another. As for currently, they see, as clear as daylight, jobs, contracts and opportunities going to ‘party boys’ and their children and friends. They see people stealing millions and getting away with it as a deliberate failure of the administration to charge or prosecute them.
But most importantly, Black see the billions spent on them in Linden, for instance, as a patronization and paternalization not too dissimilar to that practiced by their former slave masters. Burnham did the same as the former slave masters. But Blacks being paternalized by their own is not the same as being paternalized by the PPP/C. For most, it is seen as a vote-buying practice.
These are the perceptions that need to be changed.
People must be given fish if they are hungry, but taught fishing if they are poor. But Blacks in particular (specially in Buxton) have a proud heritage of craftsmanship, culture, farming and local government, a heritage which through the years, has been eroded, beginning from Burnham’s paternalization; and no amount of fish-giving can restore that pride, artisanship or culture, but rather perpetuate the psychological damage.
Wouldn’t it be great if the people, say in Buxton, were to be allowed to decide which road to build or factory to set up, and be given the opportunity to use their own local expertise to build it, without the dictates of an obstreperous outsider? Why not a return to the old Village Council system of local government?
Inclusiveness of those who perceive themselves to be marginalized, at the local, regional and national levels is a necessary prerequisite to consolidation, construction and crime-fighting. This does not suggest appeasement or political blackmail. Hence, the front-desk appearance of some high profile individuals, which is seen by some as instruments of paternalizing of Blacks, must be discontinued. More meaningful and creative methods that reflect genuine inclusion must be explored. If this is done it can be assured that Guyana will take off like a rocket, and once again we will regain the respect and admiration of our neighbors.
Consolidation, Construction and Crime-reduction
By Gokarran Sukhdeo
Guyana Journal, September 2006
Congratulations to the PPP/C for a resounding victory – with an increase in their mandate.
My next congratulation goes to the Guyanese people for exercising political maturity, reasoning and rationality in arriving at their decision as to where to put their X.
Unquestionably, the majority of Guyanese voted with reason and commonsense for the party they believe will best continue on the path to economic development, a party that they believe will (continue to) make efforts to unify the races, and pursue a strong policy to reduce crime and thus create a more conducive atmosphere for Guyanese to move about peacefully, for tourism to increase, and for foreign investors to come in. While 45 percent of the electorate believed the best to be the PNC/Alliance for Change/GAP/ROAR/JFAP, nearly 55 percent were of the political conviction that the best party was the PPP/C.
In addition to the PPP/C and the Guyanese people, a host of others have played significant roles in ensuring the most peaceful and least questionable elections in the post colonial history of Guyana.
There is the indomitable, no-nonsense Chairman of GECOM, Dr. Steve Surujballi and his team who conducted the process successfully in spite of tremendous opposition to the preliminary voters list and other seemingly trivial issues.
The Security Forces are to be commended for their professionalism in enforcing order during the entire volatile season, and particularly for dissuading any aspirations by anarchists to (continue to) utilize professional, career criminals rather than the traditional mob to derail the electoral process. This dissuasion was mainly effected when eight bandits were permanently eliminated a week before elections in Berbice.
Notably and significantly diminished were the nasty invectives by politicians and the press, invectives that have historically infuriated and injected racism and mob fury into the election frenzy. The press is beginning to establish roots in the soil of responsibility.
The media and all political parties must be congratulated.
I must not forget the foreign observers and foreign diplomats who have vigorously appealed for peace, and invigilated the election process to insure that no irregularity was committed, that would threaten that peace.
Now for the enormous task ahead.
From the campaign responses it would appear that President Jagdeo was more popular than other PPP/C members and hence (arguably) people voted more for him and less for his party. People were ambivalent, even on polling day. It was not so much hypocrisy of ‘bad mouthing’ the PPP/C and yet voting for them, as F. Skinner claims (in Stabroek News, Sept 6, 2006), but to a great extent, ambivalence. There are/were many allegations about complacency and corruption (real or perceived) among some ministers, ministers’ children, friends and relatives, and the close relationship between ministers and high powered crime which evoked terrible disgruntlement in many people. At the same time they see a bright and caring young president who waded waist deep in deadly infectious waters, even on his birthday, to cross social and racial boundaries and help his fellow Guyanese during the worst natural disaster ever to hit the country. They see a man who has almost single-handedly accomplished one of the greatest success the PPP/C can boast – that of reducing the indebtedness of the country and returning it to international financial viability.
President Jagdeo therefore must now realize that he is more obligated to his people and less to his party. He must get rid of any tainted stalwarts who have outgrown their usefulness, not to the party, but to the government and the people. Transparency in the government must be priority. Even professionals such as doctors and lawyers are suspects. No wonder the first question a doctor or lawyer asks is, “Do you have relatives overseas?” This, so that they can work you, like a licensed obeah-man. People at the lower levels steal because those at the top do. Corruption must be routed out at all levels.
The President should put an Agriculture Economist in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, one who would diligently address the issue of moving agriculture from primary to secondary and tertiary levels of production, thus enhancing the terms of trade for agri products, and increasing foreign exchange. He should also consider sharing ministries with opposition parties, including the PNCR/1G. Two other new ministries should be considered – a Ministry of Interior Development responsible for interior infrastructures – roads, hydro-electric, environmental issues, deep water harbor, and establishing settlements along the proposed Linden-Lethem highway; and the other, a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. It should be noted that there are probably more Guyanese living outside than in Guyana. There are many Guyanese complaining of bad treatment in some West Indian islands. There are thousands of Guyanese who would like to re-settle, invest or bank their savings in Guyana. The Guyana Diaspora is perhaps an even greater resource to the development of Guyana – a resource that is largely untapped, much like the hydro-electric potential of the country.
In this term ‘in office’ the PPP/C should be one ‘in power’ in which the passwords should be: Consolidation, Construction and Crime-reduction.
There is one great stroke the great batsman can play that will set the stage for a massive take-off in consolidation, construction and crime-reduction. And that is to earnestly address the issue of marginalization (real or perceived) of Blacks in Guyana.
Marginalization in Guyana is not based on statistical facts, but on fears; and fears on a perception. Perceptions of marginalization are either historically or currently founded. Historically, the races have always been thrown against one another by the masters of divide-and-rule and those politicians who have learned well from their masters; and thus the races have become pathologically suspicious of one another. As for currently, they see, as clear as daylight, jobs, contracts and opportunities going to ‘party boys’ and their children and friends. They see people stealing millions and getting away with it as a deliberate failure of the administration to charge or prosecute them.
But most importantly, Black see the billions spent on them in Linden, for instance, as a patronization and paternalization not too dissimilar to that practiced by their former slave masters. Burnham did the same as the former slave masters. But Blacks being paternalized by their own is not the same as being paternalized by the PPP/C. For most, it is seen as a vote-buying practice.
These are the perceptions that need to be changed.
People must be given fish if they are hungry, but taught fishing if they are poor. But Blacks in particular (specially in Buxton) have a proud heritage of craftsmanship, culture, farming and local government, a heritage which through the years, has been eroded, beginning from Burnham’s paternalization; and no amount of fish-giving can restore that pride, artisanship or culture, but rather perpetuate the psychological damage.
Wouldn’t it be great if the people, say in Buxton, were to be allowed to decide which road to build or factory to set up, and be given the opportunity to use their own local expertise to build it, without the dictates of an obstreperous outsider? Why not a return to the old Village Council system of local government?
Inclusiveness of those who perceive themselves to be marginalized, at the local, regional and national levels is a necessary prerequisite to consolidation, construction and crime-fighting. This does not suggest appeasement or political blackmail. Hence, the front-desk appearance of some high profile individuals, which is seen by some as instruments of paternalizing of Blacks, must be discontinued. More meaningful and creative methods that reflect genuine inclusion must be explored. If this is done it can be assured that Guyana will take off like a rocket, and once again we will regain the respect and admiration of our neighbors.
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