Though the PPP Government went about it in a silky way, I still extend a hand of hospitality to Minister of Efficiency and Implementation, Mr. Zulfikar Ally. Welcome aboard, sir, and best wishes. The portfolio has been given a sweeping name, which is also one that could go deep, but only if it is the real article. I repeat for emphasis, the real article. Because twist it or turn it, and no matter how well-camouflaged, the Ministry of Efficiency and Implementation is, at the core of its existence, it is the Anticorruption Ministry in disguise, coming onboard in a low-keyed manner. For what is efficiency, if it is not energized by proper implementation; and how good is implementation, if it is not derived from efficiency? Efficiency of context. Efficiency of purpose. Efficiency in ethics. Efficiency in output. Efficiency that the environment needs.
The new man in town, Minister Ally, not to be mistaken for the departed Amna Ally or Excellency Ali, is already going about his rounds, making all the right sounds. What can ace “best practices” in project implementation? Foreign standards, local banners. Minister Ally comes well pedigreed: attorney at law, World Bank and Inter-American Development in his two hip pockets. Am surprised that he separated from those two venerable supranational(s) There was also a snippet from Demerara Waves (September 15) about a relationship of some sort with Queens Atlantic Investment, Inc., which eludes memory re where I heard of that apparition before. The local Private Sector Commission and Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association are part of his history, which makes Minister Ally, Guyana’s closest living equivalent to a ‘golden child.’ I think he could live up to expectations. My issue is not how, but how much., and once it is for the Guyanese people, I say bravo. I say so because his portfolio should cut across lines, and if committed to his calling there could be some little unpleasantness here and there. Guyanese should then have confirmation about whether Minister Ally is a striver and groundbreaker, or simply a follower, an arranger. That is, on how to get things done at his ministry.
I note from the same September 15 Demerara Waves article (“Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister to apply “best practices” in project implementation”) that Minister Ally would be working closely with Pres. Ali. Ally & Ali has a nice ring, although there’s some difficulty about whose name comes first. Here’s the fast and nasty, which hopefully isn’t too ugly. Once Pres. Ali is sincere about all those luscious things and delectable areas that he promised to address in his inauguration, then Minister Ally’s job just got so easy that he could write his memoirs on the job. For the record, the president is given every benefit, plus the trust and hope that he wants material change, and that he will give his leadership endorsement to all change that deals with procurement issues, corruption issues, and project issues. If not, then whither efficiency, best practices?
What was it that the new wunderkind said? Recall that it was “best practices” in implementation. I am interpreting this to mean that competency and efficiency will flourish from the ground up relative to how projects begin (from evaluating to project pricing to contract awarding), and then the follow-through on how well they get done. Speed. Yardsticks. Cost. Quality. Durability. No more dum-dum awards. In short, value for money for the Guyanese people. What else could “best practices” in project implementation mean? As a reminder, many of them are hundreds of millions of dollars each, and a few in the billion(s). If the scope of Minister Ally’s duties does not encompass all these areas, then what is all the hullabaloo about a Ministry of Government Efficiency and Implementation? For now, I ask pardon for relegating the public service aspect of Minister Ally’s portfolio to the bottom house.
Recall also that the Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo in one of his Thursday afternoon karaoke sessions spoke about ‘evaluation criteria’ relative to contract awards and projects. Hence, a place now for the Hon. Zulfikar Ally. He should have his hands full, his feet going at full speed, and his head full of petitions about fulfilling his job description (overtures). Let us all be real. In the real world outside of Guyana, “best practices” is the all-purpose two-word partner feeding anticorruption visions and promises. So, long as Minister Ally shows that he is an “untouchable” he and I will coexist well. Untouchable re overtures. Untouchable in the context of some orders ([pumps, school, wharf], others that collide with efficiency and best practices). Untouchable in the caliber of his representation of locals. And untouchable in the integrity, quality, of his outputs. Welcome aboard, minister, and be assured of my supporting presence. On one condition: do the right thing.
