Government could only go as far as the people, who participate in the election process, forgo their civic duty and responsibility to elect and hold the government and their elected representatives accountable after casting their votes. Where Guyana faces an existential threat from Venezuela, foreign capital is seeking to exploit our resources and an uncaring regime runs roughshod over the nation.
There are three issues dominating national attention: The Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy; Demise of Five Members of the Guyana Defense Force; and Imposition of 6.5 per cent wages and salary increases.
The Ali/Jagdeo regime is being reminded that while the Nicolas Maduro Government continues to mobilise and galvanize the citizenry, he has made it very clear, regardless of the ICJ’s orders, Venezuelans have more than a passing interest in the wealth of Essequibo.
Instructive at this juncture is the absence of a galvanized internal response and motivation that would cause Guyanese to want to defend Essequibo in greater measure than the Venezuelans want to covet this territory. The apathy and disconnect are in no small measure the result of the partisan and anti-national politics and policies of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), as a political entity and government.
Though Venezuela and the PPP have individually and collectively scarred the psyche of the nation, I strongly believe, deep within the heart of every Guyanese is the love for country if they could only be made to feel valued and there is a stake in this nation for them. As a man would defend his family and personal property because he feels an intrinsic alliance and sense of belongingness, so too would he for the country, under the right conditions (psychological, social, economic, political and otherwise).
For instance, we could explore a form of national service starting with the cadre of Guyanese who are presently paid the $40, 000 and $50,000 monthly merely to mark their names and present a few days of the month. This is gross under-utilisation of our human resources, dehumanising and conditioning citizens to feel less than worthy. Guyana has the financial wherewithal to commence a massive training programme to equip Guyanese with requisite skills based on societal needs and more so instilling a sense of nationalism. The trainees should be paid the statutory minimum wage whilst on the programme.
We must return to the collective bargaining table and engage the unions in the teaching and public service on working conditions. Special attention must also be given to the conditions under which our men and women in uniform work and in the face of increasing threats by Venezuelans are placed on heightened alert and even in barracks.
The reported helicopter crash last week reinforces recognition that accidents do not happen they are caused, the army is severely under-capitalized, and these workers are being called on to work with outdated equipment and tools of their trade.
No government/employer can engender a working climate of confidence when basic workplace rights, including remuneration, occupational safety and health are denied. Workers must not be asked to give of their service or put their lives on the line in a working environment that threatens their safety. For the military, these workers should not go on a suicide mission. To execute their duties, they must be adequately equipped with effective functioning tools of the trade, appropriate training, leadership and good intelligence.
These pointers are raised in full awareness that buy-in and success could result with the political opposition, labour and other stakeholders’ involvement as required by Articles 13, 38, 147 and 149C of the Constitution of Guyana. The Jagdeo/Ali regime cannot proceed alone and feel they could win the hearts and minds of all Guyanese when the people have spoken. At various levels in society they would have determined who they have entrusted their confidence to articulate, advance and defend their interests. The exclusion and unilateralism must end, for these remain our greatest threats to internal stability and the capacity to confront external adversaries.
Our individual and collective salvation and well-being reside internally. The soonest President Irfaan Ali and his advisers acknowledge this and work to implement an approach to governance that upholds the Rule of Law and treats all citizens with respect and dignity, the fervour, nationalism and sense of belonging would not rise to the surface.
Guyanese must rise from passivity on matters of poor governance and inept opposition politics. We should not give Venezuela an opportunity to take advantage of government lawlessness by not upholding the laws of our land and being representatives of good governance and democracy.
