On Sinecures (and Moses Nagamootoo)
Guyana Journal, September 2006
It never ceases to amaze me how adept the PPP is in putting their foot in their mouth; in repeating blunders; and, to put it bluntly, in not doing the right thing, that can be advantageous, at the opportune time.
The PPP won the recent elections fair and square, and there is no question about this even from the diehard opposition. Bharrat Jagdeo promised changes pre and post election, and zeroed in on a promise of inclusive government.
In less than a week this president reneged – there aren’t any real positive changes and there is no evidence of inclusiveness in his cabinet.
His new cabinet has some of the old faces shuffled around – some good and some … let’s wait-and-see. There are several neophytes who have to be tested. It seems sure that one criterion for selection is the adage of “old faithfuls” and another is “baggage boys”. Then there is the impression of sinecures a la “minister within the ministry”, trying to outdo Burnham, and going against Jagan’s lean government. There is also the “square pegs in round holes” tendency that has been abounding over the years. Some of these may be well suited to do party work; but they are not fit for public office much less for ranked positions as ministers.
Certainly within the PPP cadres there are many better qualified, able, competent (and loyal) individuals who are more suited for some of the ministerial positions. This cabinet will probably be remembered best for its mediocre and lackluster assemblage. Jagdeo (and I am reminded that it is not he per se but the inner sanctum of the PPP) is most decidedly following Burnham’s PNC which had named Lord Canary and Roy Fredericks in ministerial positions!
One comment (Daren David) admonishes thus: “I don't think Jagdeo takes into consideration qualifications and talent in making the senior appointments. He has a leadership style which may be described as "ego-centric" – a style that wants attention to be placed on the leader and not on any of the subordinates. So if someone is seen as getting a lot of popular local or international attention, the leader shoves him to a post where he does not become too visible and thus is no longer too much in the public eye.”
This may or may not be true, which however leads to the invisibility of Moses Nagamootoo.
Already there are a few political/presidential advisers! As examples, what exactly are the job descriptions of Mr. K. Lall, Mr. F. Mohammed and Mr. Lumumba? What sterling advice have they been providing? And what positive and practical benefits to the nation and people of Guyana?
Moses Nagamootoo is being offered a position as presidential adviser. What contempt! What insult! Or he can serve as High Commissioner in Canada, “a post where he does not become too visible and thus is no longer too much in the public eye”, and I dare add not a threat to anyone.
Moses was quite in order to reject Jagdeo’s offer. “If [he] could be of service it has to be in an area in which [he] could help our people and could make a difference... [such as] Home Affairs or Foreign Affairs.”
The PPP has its beginnings as a grass-roots party; and Moses Nagamootoo is a grass-roots kind of savvy politician who has been in the PPP even before Jagdeo was born – and he has served this party, as indeed the nation, very well, often at great personal sacrifice. He is clean and remains one of the stalwarts in the political life of Guyana. To “sideline” him so callously also draws attention to the potential fears of “outsiders” who may contemplate joining or cooperating with this new government. What a severe blow to inclusiveness!
“There are a lot of "Moses haters" in the PPP leadership and … Jagdeo [did] side with them.”
One can only reflect with disappointment and amazement. I am non-plussed.
Any government or president likes to leave office with a good legacy – an enduring legacy, full of positive affirmations. Forbes Burnham left a legacy of all the negatives one can name (except if you think like the likes of Halim Majeed or Lorri Alexander); Desmond Hoyte started his presidency with a philosophy of amelioration and inclusiveness, and sadly left a legacy of “mo fiah”. Cheddi Jagan brought back morality, good governance, wisdom and a vision for the future. Janet Jagan, despite her valiant political contribution, bowed out with lots of confusion.
Politicians are a breed that quickly succumb to the sweet venom of power. Let us ponder on Lord Acton’s caution: “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Let us hope that better judgment (and not wait until the pressure of reality politics) will provoke a whirlwind brainstorming with a major re-shuffle, soon, that can engender meaningful positive changes for the general good.
Guyana needs the best and the brightest, the loyal and the competent, the honest and morally upright.
In this term it is only appropriate to ask: What will be the enduring legacy of Bharrat Jagdeo? As the saying goes: Moon ah run till daylight ketch am. In other words, you get wha yo pay fa. Hasta entonces.
by Gary Girdhari
