Dear Editor,
Two major national tragedies, the mocking of cash grant recipients, major allegations of corruption, empty threats of accountability and now a scathing report from a highly respected news agency leaves many to ponder whether Guyana’s current President’s legacy has been permanently ruined.
“Delusions of Grandeur” and a flag left at half-mast followed by a ferry boarding fiasco tell the story of a coming tragedy and the lack of realism in the country’s planning. Dead bodies continue to await discovery and burial. Funds spent on assets that remain unutilized, while the President’s men and women continue to extract the little money remaining in the country’s purse thanks to poor fiscal management. Over cries for justice for the victims of the recent tragedy the party carried out business as usual as if the tragedy was not as important as getting more money to spend. The lack of empathy on display was quite despicable and speaks to where the true priorities of the current administration lie. Many continue to cry foul and seek accountability for the victims, but those who haven’t shown the courage to resign in the face of the worst tragedy in our country’s history continue to hide from reality and brush aside the calls for justice as though it were an annoyance and political theatre. Real people died and real families suffer. The calls for resignation from office must be answered promptly, but it looks as though they will pull the entire party down with them. The pretext of delaying until knowing what took place is unacceptable. Mismanagement and lack of good leadership is clear.
As in the case of the Mahdia tragedy and GuySuCo’s failure to make a profit, the President verbally asks for answers and promises accountability, but when the lights and cameras turn off nothing comes of his promises. Major projects remain the beacon of hope for a better future, but the fresh eyes of a foreign perspective that has seen what good implementation looks like and requires has called it out for what it really is. Wasteful spending rooted in delusions of grandeur and “graft” while the basic needs of our citizens remain ignored. Flooding persists, poverty persists, blackouts persist, poor sanitation persists and public services remain poor. The rich get richer and party members benefit from the excessive government spending. Looks like progress from within, but what is for certain is that foreign investors will now become more hesitant and those with good intentions, integrity and strong moral fortitude will become scarce.
What will the legacy of President Ali be at the end of his second term? So far, it’s not a good one amongst Amerindians thanks to two of his previous cabinet’s ministers and two major tragedies. The foreign observers have also marked him down. Can anything be salvaged? Without better leadership, accountability, a major reduction in corruption and the will to truly improve the lives of our people in a fair and meaningful way the hope of the president finishing his term strong will dwindle into disappointment.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Discussion